San Marino and Italy move to reform road safety regulations

San Marino is implementing new road safety regulations for electric scooters and bicycles. Under a new decree, electric scooter riders will be required to wear helmets and use lights, though the government has decided against mandatory license plates, distinguishing its policy from recent Italian reforms that require identification marks and insurance.

For cyclists, San Marino will mandate the use of helmets and lights, while also introducing a rule requiring riders to travel in single file rather than side-by-side. Additionally, the country is testing new road signage to enforce a 1.5-meter passing distance for motorists.

In Italy, the Ministry of Transport is also preparing updates to the Highway Code, expected to be active by 2027. The cycling federation Fiab is currently lobbying for several changes, including the abolition of the strict requirement for cyclists to stay to the far right of the road to allow for safer maneuvering around obstacles. Fiab is also calling for a mandatory 1.5-meter passing distance and making the use of cycle lanes preferable rather than compulsory.