The Prague City Council wants to limit the speed of electric scooters on the sidewalks.
“Speed is a safety factor for all forms of transport and e-scooters are no exception,” said Tomáš Portlík (ODS), who presented the new plan together with Deputy Mayor for Transport Adam Scheinherr (Praha Sobě).
“One of the key proposals under consideration to improve e-scooter rider safety and the safety of other footpath users, is establishing a maximum speed limit for footpaths, with some ability for councils to adjust this to suit local circumstances.”
The deputies stated that the limit of 20 kilometers per hour may be too high in the case of pedestrian zones and sidewalks, and that the city will suggest the possibility of reducing it with the help of traffic signs.
As an aside, e-scooters are considered the same as bicycles in Prague and are forbidden from being ridden on sidewalks – which is where most people seem to ride them – so if you’re going to use one make sure you are riding on the street or you can face penalties.
Other countries that have set rules, usually based on existing regulation of cycling, include Austria, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Portugal and Sweden. Norway and Sweden set a 20km/h speed limit.
Belgium has recently increased the speed limit for e-scooters from 18km/h to 25km/h. Italy is also working on changes to the current highway code to permit vehicles on pavements, cycle paths, and the road.
In the Netherlands, e-scooters are classified in the same category as mopeds, with a minimum age of 16, mandatory insurance and only vehicles that have been approved by RDW, the national type-approval authority, legal on the road.
In the UK, e-scooters are illegal for use on public roads – though the government is reviewing the legislation. Ireland is also working on new rules.
