Source: Hungarian Conservative

Hungary’s Jövő Mobilitása Szövetség (Future Mobility Association – FMA) has urgently called for the introduction of regulations for the use of electric scooters in the country, pushing for legal clarity and nationwide education programmes.

FMA warns that the growing popularity of e-scooters, particularly privately-owned devices, has been accompanied by a rise in scooter-related accidents.

Industry estimates shared by the association puts the numbers of e-scooters currently in use in Hungary at between 100,000-120,000, with about 10-15% of these being available through shared schemes. Although they have been a common sight since 2018, there is no dedicated legal framework regulating their use.

FMA has been actively working towards laying foundations for regulation, having first submitted a comprehensive regulatory proposal in 2022, outlining how e-scooters could be incorporated into the country’s transport system. FMA has been an active participant in professional forums discussing modernisation of Hungary’s Highway Code (KRESZ), and contributed to the development of a draft traffic code which includes provisions for micromobility vehicles. It has also joined the Micromobility Working Group of the Institute for Transport Sciences, which aims to accelerate the introduction of a regulatory framework that realistically reflects modern urban transportation.

In a statement, FMA president András Kárpáti welcomed a recent proposal by Transport and Investment Minister Dávid Vitézy to address e-scooter regulation separately from the broader overhaul of the Highway Code. This would enable the speedier introduction of long-overdue rules, without waiting for the completion of wider traffic reforms.

Kárpáti also emphasised that regulation needs to be accompanied by education and public awareness initiatives, which would promote responsible riding behaviour and a better understanding of traffic rules.

FMA already operates various educational programmes on the theme of e-scooter safety, in schools, at open days and at the WEMOVE Mobility Park in Budapest. They have also shared that a new scooter safety curriculum is nearing completion, validated by the Institute for Transport Sciences. It will target a wide age range, from kindergarten to secondary school students nearing graduation.