North Macedonia electric scooter violations persist despite new laws

Despite new legal regulations introduced in mid-July, electric scooter users in North Macedonia continue to frequently violate traffic laws. Data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs shows that nearly 1,000 traffic violations were recorded during enforcement actions conducted between mid-May and the end of July.

More than half of these infractions involved riding on sidewalks and pedestrian zones instead of designated bicycle lanes. Other common issues include the failure to wear protective helmets and the use of mobile phones while operating the vehicles. The highest number of violations were recorded in Bitola, followed by Strumica, Skopje, Tetovo, Veles, Ohrid, Kumanovo, and Shtip.

The new regulations, which came into effect in July, include a reduction in the maximum allowed speed from 25 to 20 kilometers per hour, a ban on scooter use for individuals under 18, and significantly increased fines for various offenses.