They look good and are providing commuters and tourists with cheap, seemingly reliable form of transport to beat the traffic. Especially here in Spain during summer.
Zip around traffic in the most agile way, getting to work in record time. Or, imagine you’re spending your weekends gliding through your city. Electric scooters are just as fun as they are practical.
These modern scooters
Take you miles and miles now on a single charge, are convenient and kind to the environment. While lowering your carbon emissions, plus cost-effective than traditional public transportation.
The Spanish traffic authority (DGT) is frantically scrambling to put laws in place to control this exponential growth of electric scooters on the streets of Spain. These mechanically-propelled vehicles or MPV are vehicles for one rider with one or two wheels, powered by electric motors and that have a top speed of 25 km/hr. Some of them reach speeds of 50 km/hour!!
Estimated number is more than 110,000. The Spanish government had laws ready to be introduced but the current stalemate in Madrid, means local governments in different regions are introducing their own laws with immediate effect. Currently, regulations on speed limits, vehicle power and accepted normal driving practices vary greatly depending on where exactly in Spain you are. In some cities, they are illegal for children below 15, in others not. In fact, the same vehicle can be legal here in La Zenia, but illegal in Torrevieja. Under the draft new law, which will soon to be approved), these devices will be banned from the roads completely and relegated to the various bicycle lanes. Speed will be capped at 30 kilometer-per-hour yet the draft decree gives local authorities freedom to introduce further restrictions. For example – are helmets compulsory? We don’t know yet. Soon, in the second phase of the laws in Spain, (once we get passed phase 1!) they will cover issues such as the need for insurance. It’s not currently mandatory, there is no minimum driving age and the use of reflective clothing is still optional- but not for much longer!
Nevertheless, an electric scooter can be life-changing whether it’s for your commute or for fun.
