Italy Rolls Out Helmets and Plates for E-Scooters

Published November 25, 2024

Italy has recently introduced stricter regulations for e-scooters to address rising safety concerns and improve road safety. The new highway code now mandates that e-scooter riders must wear helmets and carry insurance. Other significant changes include requiring license plates for e-scooters, prohibiting their use in cycle lanes, pedestrian zones, and non-urban roads, and enforcing harsher penalties for improper parking and traffic violations. These measures come after a significant rise in e-scooter-related accidents, with 3,365 injuries and 21 fatalities reported in 2023, up from 2022 figures​.

These changes align with stricter measures seen in other European cities, such as Paris and Madrid, which have restricted or banned rental e-scooters. While advocates highlight the environmental and mobility benefits of e-scooters, rental companies in Italy have criticized the new rules, citing existing safety features like speed restrictions and geolocation technology​.

The updated regulations are part of a broader road safety initiative that includes stiffer penalties for offenses such as driving under the influence and stricter rules for motorists. The goal, according to Italy’s Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, is to reduce the “carnage” on Italian roads while ensuring e-scooter usage remains safe and regulated​.

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