Romania enforces new electric scooter rules amid rising accident numbers

The Romanian Police Road Directorate published a safety guide for electric scooters. Riders must be at least 14 years old, wear a helmet if under 16, use bike lanes where they exist, and otherwise ride only on roads with a maximum speed of 50 km/h. Riding on sidewalks is prohibited except in specially designated areas, and scooters are limited to a single rider. Night travel requires functional lights and reflectors, and riding under the influence, without both hands on the handlebar, or transporting passengers or objects is forbidden. Non‑compliance can result in fines.

Since the start of 2024, e‑scooter crashes have surged across Romania. In Vaslui County, ambulance crews treated 12 victims (ages 5‑73) from 23 accidents between January and June, with injuries ranging from minor contusions to severe cranial fractures. Suceava County recorded 54 accidents, primarily involving teenagers, while Bucharest logged 28 crashes with 20 people injured. Police say riders are at fault in 99 % of cases. The high injury toll has prompted Bucharest’s mayor to draft stricter regulations, including bans on e‑scooter use in parks, on sidewalks without dedicated lanes, and limits on parking locations.