1 Jan, 2024 @ 15:23
1 min read

Crackdown on e-scooters: These are the new laws in effect across Spain’s Andalucia from TODAY

NEW e-scooter laws have come into effect today, January 1, in Spain’s Andalucia. 

E-scooters are currently unregulated and some have caused fires on public transport. Photo by Christina Spinnen on Unsplash

The measures include a ban on bringing the devices on public transport. 

Spearheaded by the local Ministry of Development, Planning and Housing, the law follows similar restrictions across Spain. 

It sees e-scooters banned on public transport such as metros, buses and boats. 

The ban is a temporary measure designed to protect citizens after numerous fires on public transport as a result of e-scooter batteries. 

It will remain in place until the devices are deemed safe. 

According to the Ministry, the decision was motivated by the National Traffic Department’s (DGT) move to only allow the sale of certified ‘Personal Travel Vehicles’ (VMP). 

From January 21, new e-scooters will need to be certified before going to market. 

Currently, e-scooters are unregulated, prompting safety concerns from officials. 

Any sold before that date can still be used, until a provisional date of 2027. 

The new laws follow two reports into e-sccoter safety from Sevilla’s transport network and the Universidad de Sevilla. 

The latter concluded ‘the safety of passengers is most important’ and recommended that bans ‘remain in place until the risks disappear’ with further regulation. 

Over a year and a half the report found ‘a not insignificant number of dangerous incidents caused by Personal Travel Vehicles.’

Andalucia is not the first area to implement such a ban. 

Spanish rail company, Renfe, has recently prohibited passengers bringing the devices on trains, including Cordoba’s metro network. 

Madrid, Barcelona and Mallorca have also banned the devices on all public transport, while Valencia has prohibited them on trains. 

The devices are also banned on other European transport systems, including the London Underground.

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Yzabelle Bostyn

After spending much of her childhood in Andalucia and adulthood between Barcelona and Latin America, Yzabelle has settled in the Costa del Sol to put her NCTJ & Journalism Masters to good use. She is particularly interested in travel, vegan food and has been leading the Olive Press Nolotil campaign. Have a story? email yzabelle@theolivepress.es

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