Scooters in Latvia Require Registration and Drivers Must Hold Licences
Latvia's parliament, known as Seimas, has approved amendments to the Road Traffic Law in its final reading, introducing higher penalties and new responsibilities for users of electric scooters, bicycles, and pedicabs.
This development was reported by Delfi.
The amendments mandate the compulsory registration of electric scooters and pedicabs, with a government registration sticker to be affixed to their frames. The registration requirement will take effect from January 1st next year, and existing modes of transportation must be registered by March 31st, 2024. Bicycle registration, on the other hand, remains voluntary.
Riding an electric scooter will now be limited to individuals possessing a valid driving licence for bicycles or any other category of vehicle. Those who are 18 years of age or older and hold a driving licence for bicycles or any other category of vehicle will be allowed to operate a pedicab. Failure to provide the appropriate licence when operating a pedicab will result in a monetary fine.
Providers of electronic services that offer shared electric scooter services through mobile applications or websites must verify the identity and age of service recipients.
The amendments introduce higher administrative fines for violations of road traffic rules by electric scooter and bicycle riders. Penalties for disregarding traffic signals and maintaining a safe distance have been increased, as well as penalties for operating an electric scooter while under the influence of alcohol.
Local authorities will have the authority to establish regulations for the shared use of transportation devices, including electric scooters and bicycles. This includes setting speed limits and defining no-parking zones. The use of electric scooters can also be monitored by local law enforcement agencies.
As previously reported by The Gaze, on May 30th, the Vilnius Municipality introduced stricter regulations for electric scooter use in the Lithuanian capital, which will take effect at the beginning of summer. Adomas Bužinskas, the head of the Vilnius Municipality Administration, announced that starting from June 1st, scooter traffic would be prohibited on three streets in the capital: Vilniaus, Saviciaus, and Pilies. Bicycles will also be banned from these streets.
In the central part of the city and on bridges, the maximum speed for electric scooters will be reduced to 12 km/h. Furthermore, designated parking areas for electric scooters will be provided, and only these areas will be allowed for scooter parking.