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Electric scooter users in Cyprus will face stricter enforcement under a new regulatory framework that could see scooters seized for up to 90 days following certain offences.
The draft decree, prepared by the Public Works Department, is now entering a public consultation period that will run until September 26. Following the consultation, the proposed rules will be sent to the Legal Service for the required legal and technical review.
Under the proposed system, police officers and authorised municipal or community traffic wardens would be able to seize a scooter in addition to issuing a fine if one of three violations is recorded.
These are riding in an area where scooters are not permitted, using a scooter while under the age of 17, or riding a device capable of exceeding 25 kilometres per hour, the maximum speed allowed under Cyprus law.
A seized scooter could be held for between 30 and 90 days. After the first 30 days, owners would be able to recover their device if they meet the relevant conditions and pay the fine. If the fine remains unpaid, the scooter could stay in custody until the case reaches court.
Safety concerns over scooter use
Public Works Department Executive Engineer Charis Christodoulou said the design and operation of electric scooters present several road safety challenges that users need to understand.
Unlike a car, a scooter requires the rider to maintain balance while travelling. Speed can make this particularly difficult for inexperienced users. Their relatively small size also makes both scooters and their riders less visible to other road users.
Visibility becomes an even greater problem after dark, Christodoulou said, pointing out that scooter lights are positioned much lower than vehicle headlights.
The small wheels can also create additional hazards on damaged or uneven roads. Potholes and other surface irregularities can be more difficult for scooters to handle because their wheels have limited ability to absorb such impacts.
Legal riding areas are also restricted. Personal mobility devices may be used on roads where the speed limit is no more than 30 km/h and on cycling infrastructure. Since the speed limit on most roads in urban areas remains 50 km/h, the number of roads where scooters can legally operate is limited.
The minimum age for using the devices has been set at 17. Christodoulou urged parents to take particular care when minors use scooters.
He said the current legal framework was designed to place road safety ahead of unrestricted use of personal mobility devices.
Nicosia to add more than 100 parking locations
Nicosia is also preparing changes aimed at bringing scooter use under greater control within the capital.
Mayor Charalambos Prountzos said more than 100 dedicated scooter parking locations have been identified as part of the latest licensing process, following discussions with scooter operators.
The designated spaces are intended to prevent scooters from being abandoned across pavements and other parts of the city where they can obstruct pedestrians. Construction is expected to begin shortly.
Rental scooters are already subject to municipal licensing and are restricted to approved routes. Operators use an automatic system intended to disable scooters when they leave those routes.
The municipality has, however, found instances where GPS systems were switched off. Under the new licences, a rental operator could have its licence automatically revoked if one of its scooters is found travelling on an unauthorised route.
Prountzos also supports preventing the import of privately owned scooters that are capable of exceeding the legal speed limit. He said additional safety requirements, including helmets and other protective equipment, could also be introduced.
More 30 km/h zones planned
The Nicosia municipality is planning to extend the city's 30 km/h zones, particularly in residential neighbourhoods.
Several new zones have already been put out to tender. Such areas allow conventional vehicles and micromobility users to share roads under a lower speed limit.
The municipality has carried out a GIS-based study identifying schools, parks and other important destinations. The information will be used to determine which routes should be prioritised for inclusion in future 30 km/h zones.
The Transport Ministry has also approved areas for such schemes and established financial support for municipalities seeking to introduce them. According to Christodoulou, creating 30 km/h zones is considerably easier than building dedicated cycling infrastructure.
The Public Works Department is currently carrying out cycling infrastructure projects across Cyprus.
Balancing safety with sustainable transport
Prountzos said the city still sees micromobility as an important part of its transport system, particularly in a capital with around 50,000 university students.
He said scooters could help reduce dependence on cars, but their use must be managed in a way that protects riders, pedestrians and other motorists.
Recent serious accidents involving scooters have added urgency to discussions over how the devices should be regulated.
Implementing the new rules will require coordination between the Transport Ministry, municipalities and the Police. Prountzos also said local authorities need sufficient legal powers to remove improperly parked scooters from public areas.
Dedicated parking infrastructure is expected to make enforcement easier while reducing the number of scooters left obstructing public spaces.
The mayor said micromobility should remain part of Nicosia's future transport system, provided the devices are used responsibly and within a clear safety framework.
