Sweeping traffic checks are currently underway by Traffic Police and the Municipal Police for the use of electric scooters on the capital’s main streets.

A prime example of this operation is the large “roadblock” set up on Amalias Avenue, right in front of the Zappeion, as well as the one at the beginning of 3rd September Street in Omonia, where traffic police are conducting intensive checks on riders.

The checks are focused on electric scooter users and establishing whether they are complying with traffic safety rules. “As of now (12:30 p.m.), we have confirmed about six violations. Five were for not wearing a helmet; the sixth was for speeding,” said Sergeant Panagiotis Antoniou of the Traffic Accident Prevention and Control Unit of the Attica Traffic Police Department.

Asked what electric scooter users should be careful about, he said: “We consider them as regular drivers, just like drivers of other vehicles, so they too must comply with the Highway Code [Greece’s road traffic regulations]. Additionally, because they are more vulnerable, just like motorcycle riders, they should, for example, wear reflective vests at night as required and avoid using headphones so they can immediately perceive the space around them. The speed of the scooter should be limited to the prescribed 25 kilometres per hour and, of course, they should wear a helmet.”

It should be noted that during traffic checks on September 3, a scooter rider was pulled over for driving at a speed of 36 kilometres per hour.

Fines issued by the Municipal Police as well

The Municipal Police are also fully mobilised to address the issue of electric scooters, particularly the problem of illegal parking on pavements and crosswalks.

Eleni Zontirou, Deputy Mayor for Municipal Police and Public Spaces of the City of Athens, underlined: “We frequently carry out joint operations with the Athens Traffic Police Sub-Directorate. We issue fines for illegal parking, which are paid by the companies.” For the fine, which amounts to 150 euros per violation, to be issued, three or more scooters from the same company must be parked in violation.

“We also issue fines to people who ride without safety equipment, such as the helmet they are required to wear. As you know very well, we have already designated specific areas for companies to park their scooters in order to prevent the phenomenon of mass dumping of scooters,” adds the Deputy Mayor for Municipal Police.

No more scooters for minors under 17, and insurance is mandatory

The authorities’ tougher stance coincides with the introduction of new provisions in the relevant bill, which completely reshape the landscape for micro-vehicles, with the clear goal of enhancing road safety and reducing accidents.

The most significant change in the new framework is the blanket ban on the use of electric scooters by individuals under the age of 17. At the same time, mandatory insurance is now required, covering both the vehicle and the rider.

To enable the rapid identification of owners, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is creating a digital registry of electric scooters, while at the same time the bill imposes much stricter penalties and fines for those who violate the law, explicitly prohibiting the use of scooters on roads where the speed limit for cars exceeds 50 kilometres per hour.