The Ministry of Transport and Communication aims to improve the safety of e-scooter traffic
The Ministry of Transport and Communication aims to improve the safety of e-scooter traffic and for that purpose, it organises public consultations to gather suggestions from interested institutions and citizens. The purpose of the consultations is to look for solutions to promote the use of this environmentally friendly mode of transport within cities without creating chaos and danger to pedestrians and other road users. Suggestions are accepted until 1 December by email [email protected]. On 2 December, a public round table discussion will take place to assess the suggestions gathered during consultations.
“Electric scooters are a common mode of transport for recreation and daily trips. This mode undoubtedly promotes sustainable mobility, but with the growing use of e-scooters, they are increasingly involved in traffic incidents or become their cause. For instance, in 2019, 64 accountable traffic incidents related to e-scooters were recorded, last year – 97 and within the first 8 months of this year – 143. After assessing the current situation with interested groups, we will look for solutions to ensure safer scooter traffic in the future,” says Deputy Minister Julius Skačkauskas.
Before amending legal acts, it is aimed to gather as many suggestions and opinions during public consultations as possible. There will be discussions on the regulation of e-scooter traffic, analysis of the causes of traffic incidents, the most frequent violations of the Road Traffic Rules (RTR), their prevention and administrative responsibility, discussions on reducing the number of injured road users, the possibilities for expanding the infrastructure, etc. The measures implemented are expected to enhance the safety of the most vulnerable road users.
According to the applicable legal acts, e-scooters with 1 kW power and 25 km/h maximum speed are equal to motor bikes. Therefore, the users of such e-scooters should remember that they are subject to the same requirements as bikers. The users of bikes and e-scooters riding on kerbs, common pedestrian and cycling paths, sidewalks must give way to pedestrians and not obstruct them or put them in danger.
In order to enhance traffic safety, on 1 June 2022, a new RTR road sign will be introduced prohibiting the traffic of motor bikes and e-scooters. Such road signs should be used after considering the statistics of traffic incidents in specific street sections, as well as taking into account the street infrastructure and traffic organisation. The decision to use this road sign in specific parts of the city will be taken by municipalities.
On 2 December, a round table discussion will take place to summarise the suggestions gathered during the public consultation, fully assess the current situation and legal environment of e-scooter traffic, the changes in the behaviour of e-scooter users in 2021, their most frequent injuries and the issues they face in public traffic, as well as to discuss the changes in infrastructure while developing cycling paths and consider the expectations of road users. Presentations will be made by representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Health, police, Vilnius and Kaunas municipalities and companies renting e-scooters.
Registrations for the round table discussion are accepted until 1 December by email [email protected].
Last updated: 09-11-2021
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