Speaking to ERTNews, the Minister of Citizen Protection announced a complete ban on the use of electric scooters by minors, while also supporting the abolition of so-called “quad bikes” on the islands, describing them as “very dangerous vehicles.”

The minister presented a new road safety framework that will include mandatory insurance, special registration markings, and traffic restrictions for scooters. He also referred to the incidents during student elections, calling for “controlled access” to universities and stronger security measures.

Specifically, the minister stressed that incidents of violence “are not an everyday phenomenon,” but clarified that “they must come to an end.” He also discussed new measures regarding electric scooters, road safety, traffic congestion in Athens, and efforts to combat delinquency.

The Minister of Citizen Protection described the clashes during student elections as “isolated incidents.” According to him, the confrontations occurred between student groups, and he repeated the need for controlled entry to universities and enhanced security measures.

“We do not need a university police force. We need security at universities,” he said, adding that “there are no longer any occupations anywhere in Greece” and that institutions now operate under safer conditions. He made special mention of the National Technical University of Athens, noting that “there are cameras and it is now a modern space where professors and students can work safely.”

Full ban for minors

Mr. Chrysochoidis announced a stricter framework for electric scooters, referring to a “complete ban for minors” and a new regulatory framework for adult users.

“All scooters must have speed limiters, must not circulate on high-speed roads, and must carry mandatory insurance,” he said.

According to the minister, the new bill will also require special identification markings and registration numbers for every scooter, while municipalities will be able to set a maximum number of vehicles per area.

“We cannot continue witnessing children being injured every day,” he noted, emphasizing that “scooters without restrictions are dangerous both for users and pedestrians.”

“Quad bikes should be banned from the islands”

Referring to the summer season and road accidents on the islands, the minister sent a zero-tolerance message regarding helmet use.

“It cannot be acceptable for someone to rent a scooter without a helmet and without a driver’s license,” he stressed.

Speaking about ATVs or “quad bikes,” he said that “this type of vehicle should be completely banned from the country,” calling them “extremely dangerous.”

Traffic and policing measures

Regarding traffic congestion in Athens, the minister presented the “Kombos” plan, which includes around 150 police officers, drones, and live traffic management through information systems.

“The goal is to speed up traffic flow and ease congestion on major roads,” he said, while admitting that “the Kifisos highway remains an extremely difficult problem.”

He also emphasized illegal parking in central Athens.

“The phenomenon of someone parking on Solonos Street and inconveniencing thousands of people is unacceptable,” he said, noting that traffic police carry out daily inspections and calling for greater involvement from municipal police forces.

“Crime is not acceptable”

Regarding recent incidents in Roma settlements and the injury of police officers, Mr. Chrysochoidis described the issue as “a major and complex problem,” stating that the government has been implementing a special operational plan for months.

“We are not targeting anyone, but criminality is a separate issue,” he said, describing conditions of severe degradation in some settlements.

According to the minister, permanent police forces are already stationed in several areas, while daily operations are conducted targeting weapons, drugs, and electricity theft.

“I have set a goal for these areas to function like every other neighborhood in the country. We will not allow them to remain pockets of criminality,” he stressed, adding that under the new legislation “repeat felony offenders will be imprisoned.”