If you use an electric scooter to get around Alicante, now is a good time to make sure both you and your scooter meet the rules.
Alicante Local Police have stepped up checks on Personal Mobility Vehicles, with the campaign continuing until the beginning of October.
Depending on the offence, riders could face fines ranging from €100 to €500 under Alicante’s municipal traffic rules.
Police are checking scooters and riders
Officers are looking at more than how people ride. They will also check whether scooters meet the required technical conditions and have the necessary equipment and documentation.
Checks include helmets, civil liability insurance, registration and the scooter’s circulation certificate. Police will also look for the required lights and reflective equipment.
The first operation in Plaza de España gives an indication of how closely officers are checking.
Police inspected 30 scooters and issued almost 20 reports for offences including lack of registration, riding without a helmet and speed-related issues.
Watch that 25km/h limit
Electric scooters cannot exceed 25km/h, and police will check for modifications that allow them to travel faster.
Riders also face penalties for using a mobile phone or headphones while travelling.
Alcohol and drug rules apply too, meaning anyone riding after drinking above the permitted limit or taking drugs could face a sanction.
There is also a minimum age to consider. Under the new regulation, riders must be at least 15 years old to use an electric scooter.
Lights and reflective clothing
Visibility becomes particularly important after dark or when conditions make riders difficult to see.
Scooters need front and rear lights. Riders must also use a reflective vest or other reflective elements at night or when visibility is poor.
With the increased checks continuing for the next few weeks, Alicante scooter users have a clear incentive to check their equipment before setting off.
The campaign is not simply looking for speeding. Registration, insurance, helmets, technical requirements and how riders behave on the road are all part of the inspections.
And with penalties potentially reaching €500, discovering that something is missing during a police check could make for a rather expensive journey across town.
Bridging the Gap’s recap
- Alicante Local Police have increased checks on electric scooters.
- The campaign will continue until the beginning of October.
- Fines can range from €100 to €500, depending on the offence.
- Police are checking helmets, insurance, registration and circulation certificates.
- Electric scooters cannot exceed 25km/h.
- Mobile phone and headphone use while riding can lead to a fine.
- Riders must be at least 15 years old.
- Scooters need front and rear lights, with reflective equipment required for riders at night or in poor visibility.
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