Italy has recently announced a major crackdown on the use of electric scooters on city streets in response to a growing number of accidents and fatalities. The decision, announced by the Italian government on June 27, aims to reduce injuries, prevent pedestrian hazards, and bring order to the streets.
Like many European countries, Italy has witnessed a surge in the popularity of e-scooters over the past few years, as an alternative to public transport and the lack of cycling lanes in large Italian cities. Rental companies have flooded major cities, offering scooters for rent that have become increasingly popular among both locals and tourists for the convenience and agile mobility they offer. In 2021, there were over 45,000 rental e-scooters on Italian streets, according to data from Osservatorio Sharing Mobility, a state-backed sector association. However, the rapid rise in their usage has come at a price.
We need to restore a bit of order. Thinking about the pavements of the big cities like Milan and Rome, it is like a gymkhana for people with pushchairs.
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini
The city of Rome has witnessed the deaths of six individuals in the past two years in e-scooter accidents, with countless other incidents being reported. These accidents have not only claimed lives but have also posed problems for pedestrians, as there are no specific regulations in place regarding where e-scooters should be left after use, turning pavements into obstacle courses.
In an effort to tackle these issues head-on, the Italian government has updated the country’s highway code and introduced several new regulations. The government aims to make helmets and insurance mandatory for riders. They will also require e-scooters to have turning indicators and registration plates.
Additionally, the new regulations will prohibit riding e-scooters outside of built-up areas and will strictly enforce rules against chaotically parking them on pavements. These measures, which have been approved by the cabinet, are now awaiting parliamentary approval to become law.
Following two US tourists’ night attempt to drive their scooters down Rome’s famous Spanish Steps, in 2022, resulting in over 25,000 euros worth of damage to the 18th century monument, the preservation of the city’s historic architecture is also at stake
Backlash over the vehicles has already been observed in Paris, where the city voted in April to ban e-scooters entirely. Italy, however, has not gone to that extreme, but various cities within the country have considered implementing speed limits for scooters and reducing the number of rental companies operating within their limits.