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"The project requires improvement": why the proposal to register trips on electric scooters raises questions
In addition, discussions were closed on the public discussion portal of the legislative act. Overall, the likelihood of new amendments being adopted is high.
The main products - mopeds, electric bicycles and electric scooters - are combined into one group called micromobility devices.
It is not entirely clear why this is necessary. In addition, the permits for driving these vehicles vary greatly. For example, moped drivers must have at least some kind of license. The minimum category is "M". You must also have OSAGO insurance.
Drivers of electric bicycles and electric scooters do not need to have anything. No license, no insurance, no knowledge of the rules. So this connection seems a little strange. If this group includes moped drivers, let's make compliance mandatory for all other participants. This means training, passing an exam and getting a certificate. Buy insurance...
It is not without reason that during the discussion of this bill, one of the experts suggested introducing a new subcategory "M1", specifically for those who ride electric bicycles and electric scooters. Knowledge of traffic rules will not be superfluous for them.
If you own an electric scooter, you must register your ride before leaving home.
Another important aspect of these amendments is the categorical ban on the use of any devices not provided for by the design of the vehicle. Unfortunately, this also raises an unpleasant question.
If your car is equipped with a media system, you can watch a movie while sitting in the driver's seat. However, some devices that are not related to cars cannot be used. There are all sorts of smoking devices, such as vapes and IQOS. However, I have every right to smoke cigarettes, cigars, etc.
The bill received so many amendments already at the discussion stage that it seemed better to rewrite it than edit it. Nevertheless, it passed the working group and public discussion. All that remains is to wait for it to be submitted to the government. The government is obliged to review the Road Traffic Act.
According to experts, the project needs significant revision. The editorial board already has a document of up to 23 pages of edits. It is not true that all of them will be included in the final text.
However, we have listed the most important points that will concern many citizens. The rest is of a technical nature.
However, these amendments, despite being in full compliance with current legislation, raise many questions.
So, an electric scooter with its own mobility device leaves home to run errands. Should it sign up for this trip? Once adopted, the new rules will be mandatory.
Should drivers leaving the yard on business do this?
Of course not.
Even pedestrians do not need to coordinate their routes with anyone when they leave home, nor do they need to record their travel time and transport use. This is certainly an excessive measure.
Of course, control over electric scooters and electric bicycles is also necessary. But there should be a limit to everything.
It is difficult to escape the impression that the idea of numbering all these “micromobile” devices, including mopeds, as envisaged in the new bill, will lead to nothing.
For example, to register electric scooters and electric bicycles, you will need an ID. But there are no numbers in the frames. The engine number - even more so. How to identify a car that does not have numbers on the main parts?
Yes. Certification is required for both imported and domestic devices. Alas, the road to these heights is much longer than the road to registration.
In addition, the rules require scooter drivers, as users of vehicles, not to leave the scene of an accident. This means that if an electric scooter hits a pedestrian, the pedestrian must remain in place until the traffic police arrive.
The most interesting thing is that this condition still exists in the rules. Electric scooters are considered vehicles. Not yet mechanical, but nevertheless transportable. That is, for high-risk devices. And for such devices, there are strict rules. In fact, few people know about them.
While not all riders will benefit from the knowledge gained from this short book, this new way of micromobility may come as a surprise to cyclists, e-scooter managers and other personal mobility users.
As the National Transport Inspectorate explains, the main problem with the Ministry of Transport's amendment is that it does not clearly distinguish between personal mobility devices and mopeds. Who should go where? Who should we require a license from, and who should not? On what grounds?
Overall, the bill is interesting and enjoys general approval, but it is still far from perfect and clearly needs more in-depth revision.
The total number of amendments proposed for inclusion in the draft during the public comment period alone reached 23 pages. So we will have to wait for the latest version.