Greece plans sweeping changes to its road traffic code ahead of the summer tourist season, introducing stricter rules for electric scooters and rented motorcycles and quad bikes.
Speaking to state broadcaster ERT, Deputy Transport Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis said rental companies will no longer be allowed to provide motorcycles, scooters, or quad bikes without helmets, placing responsibility for compliance on operators.
Under the proposed rules, drivers will be required to have held a license for at least five years before renting a quad bike, a measure aimed at reducing accidents involving inexperienced riders.
The legislation would also prohibit minors from using electric scooters nationwide. There is growing concern in Greece over accidents involving electric scooters, following two recent incidents: the death of a 13-year-old boy in Ilia and the severe injury of a 40-year-old man in Heraklion.
Athens currently has about 4,000 shared scooters, with usage split 60-40 between tourists and locals. Under traffic regulations, e-scooters are limited to 25 km/h and can only use urban roads where bicycles are permitted.
Kyranakis said scooter rental companies will be required to designate parking areas and remove improperly parked vehicles from streets and sidewalks each day.
The new framework will also require operators to carry liability insurance, ensuring compensation is available in the event of accidents involving rental scooters.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
