Urban mobility in Romania shifts toward electric bicycles and scooters

Urban mobility in Romania is seeing a shift toward electric micro-mobility solutions, such as electric bicycles and scooters, as citizens seek alternatives to heavy traffic and rising vehicle maintenance costs.

When selecting an electric bicycle, key considerations include motor type and battery autonomy. Hub motors provide immediate support at startup, while mid-drive motors offer a more natural riding sensation and better weight distribution. For urban commuters, a battery range of 40-60 kilometers is considered sufficient for daily needs. Potential owners should also account for specialized maintenance and battery replacement costs.

In Bucharest, Mayor Ciprian Ciucu has expressed support for electric scooters as a practical way to navigate the city during periods of heavy construction and traffic congestion. He stated that banning scooters is not currently appropriate given the ongoing infrastructure works. To regulate the sector, the municipality has introduced taxes on companies operating electric scooter fleets to ensure they pay for the use of public space.