electric scooters What we should know before buying them
More and more people are looking for alternative, sustainable and economical ways to get around on a daily basis. In this trend, electric scooters have emerged as one of the most widely used means of individual transport. Given this proliferation, it is important that consumers interested in acquiring one take into account some considerations.
Due to the fact that it is a new and increasingly frequent means of transport, the General direction of traffic has issued some instructions to cover its lack of regulation. One of the first aspects in which this regulation stops is its definition, to know how to distinguish them from those that are not.
They are cataloged within the so-called Personal Mobility Vehicles (VMP), which includes vehicles with two or more wheels, with a single seat and propelled solely by an electric motor with a speed that oscillates between 6 and 25 kilometers per hour. If they do not reach 6 kilometers per hour, they will have the legal consideration of a toy. If they exceed 25, they will be a vehicle that will require another series of requirements. Personal mobility vehicles are classified into Type A, B and C depending on the speed they reach, their weight and other characteristics such as height or the number of people they are designed for. Electric scooters are usually class A. According to the classification, it has a series of restrictions and obligations.
They do not have to be registered, nor is a license necessary to drive them. However, they do have to comply with a minimum series of traffic regulations, including not driving on sidewalks, so they must travel on the road and cycle paths.
Another aspect that we must take into account when buying an electric scooter is its autonomy, that is, the distance that they can travel until the battery runs out, which can range between 10 kilometers and some that exceed 35.
It should also be taken into account that front and rear lights They must be worn if you are going to ride at night, so we must make sure that the scooter that we are going to buy brings them. If this is not the case, we must ask if it is possible to add them as an accessory.
The use of the helmet and the horn, however, are not mandatory, although the DGT regulations recommend their use.
Documentation
When buying an electric scooter, we must bear in mind that Personal Mobility Vehicles will require to be able to circulate from one certificates that guarantees compliance with the technical requirements required by national and international regulations, as well as their identification.
The scooters must obtain said certificate and the request for it will be made by the manufacturers, importers or their representatives in Spain. It is a certification that will include technical specifications on weight, power, maximum speed, dimensions and size and diameter of the wheels.
Secure
Electric scooters that do not exceed 25 kilometers per hour maximum speed they don't need insurance to circle. However, it is recommended that consumers contemplate some type of coverage for them.
Keep in mind that, in the event of an accident, the driver of the scooter must respond as with any other vehicle, including sanctions for refusal of help or for using it under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Non-motorized Personal Mobility Vehicles often benefit from the coverage offered by home insurance. However, the amounts are small and do not usually include them expressly.
Therefore, it is recommended that consumers confirm that their home insurance includes civil liability for their vehicle or hire a specific insurance for electric scooter, since insurers offer policies that cover driver accidents, roadside assistance, accidental damage and theft.
Ordinances
In addition to the national regulation on Personal Mobility Vehicles, we must also take into account municipal ordinances. In the case of Madrid City Council, Sustainable Mobility Ordinance (articles 175-180) regulates, for example, that the minimum driving age electric scooters is 15 years. Minors under 15 years of age may only use this type of vehicle if it is adapted to their age, height and weight, they are accompanied by an adult and they are in spaces closed to traffic.
Scooters must have lights, bell and reflective elements approved.
The ordinance also establishes the driving ban with headphones connected that are not approved for this purpose, as well as circulation with alcohol rates in the organization higher than those established in the general traffic regulations, or with presence of drugs in the organism
The use of a helmet will be mandatory for people under 18 years of age, those who use it to work as delivery drivers and for those who circulate on multimodal lanes, which are those lanes that have a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour. In all other cases, for road safety reasons, also recommended the use of an approved or certified helmet to circulate on all types of roads.
Scooters will be able to circulate by cycle streets; cycle paths; bike sidewalks, up to 10 kilometers per hour; cycle paths, up to 15 kilometers per hour; bike tracks, up to 20 kilometers per hour; on the road, with a maximum speed of up to 30 kilometers per hour; on bicycle routes in public parks and on multimodal lanes, with a maximum permitted speed of up to 30 kilometers per hour.
Its circulation is not allowed on sidewalks and pedestrian areas, roads with a speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour, bus lanes, tunnels except when there is a bicycle lane or a multimodal lane, on non-signalized sections of the M-30 and its accesses; nor through garden areas nor any area not expressly authorized in municipal public gardens.
The scooters will be able to park in spaces specifically reserved and marked for this purpose, such as reservations in parking strips or stations and anchorages on sidewalks.
Update date: September 11, 2023