Estonia cracks down on scooter and moped rentals with new safety laws

Estonia cracks down on scooter and moped rentals with new safety laws

A motor scooter parked on the side of a street with a helmet on it, with buildings, trees, poles, people, chairs, tables, and other objects in the background.

Estonia cracks down on scooter and moped rentals with new safety laws

Estonian lawmakers are preparing to tighten rules on light personal mobility vehicles and small mopeds. Two draft amendments to the Traffic Act aim to improve safety and reduce accidents. The changes would introduce stricter age checks, helmet requirements, and local control over rental numbers.

Center Party MP Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart has put forward a draft bill targeting accidents involving rental scooters and mopeds. Her proposal would force companies to block minors from activating or using these vehicles. Service providers would also need to offer helmets for users under 16 to cut head injury risks.

The Ministry of Climate is finalising a similar draft for interministerial review in the coming weeks. If passed, local councils could set limits on the number of rental scooters, mopeds, and bicycles in their areas. Many municipalities have pushed for this power to manage street congestion. Current laws lack basic safety checks, such as age verification or bicycle licence requirements for users. Marek Reinaas, head of the Riigikogu's Economic Affairs Committee, has yet to review Kovalenko-Kõlvart's proposal. The amendments could take effect from July 1, giving companies time to adapt.

The proposed rules would give councils more control over rental fleets while enforcing helmet use and age restrictions. Official accident data for 2023 remains unavailable, but the changes aim to address rising safety concerns. Final approval will depend on parliamentary debate and interministerial agreement.

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