Mandatory helmet proposals have been adopted, with operators unhappy with the decision putting pressure on an already competitive market

Source: TheMayor.eu

In a move aimed at enhancing safety on the bustling streets of Malaga, the local city council recently implemented a regulation requiring all e-scooter riders, both on shared platforms and private users, to wear helmets. Despite the better intentions behind this decision, it has stirred a heated debate, particularly with scooter rental companies threatening to withdraw from the city if the rules are enforced.

The city justifies the new mandate by citing an uptick in accidents involving e-scooters. While the local authorities believe that helmets are a necessary precaution, scooter operators vehemently oppose the measure. They argue that the accident rate for electric scooters is comparable to that of bicycles, which are not obligated to use helmets. This, according to a statement from the shared mobility operators, results in discriminatory practices.

Expressing dissatisfaction, a spokesperson for the scooter lobby emphasized the financial strain on operators, calling it “the straw that breaks the camel’s back”. The spokesperson hinted at the possibility of a single rental company monopolizing the field, given the additional burden of combating helmet thefts. As Malaga grapples with the delicate balance between safety regulations and the economic viability of scooter rentals, the outcome remains uncertain, leaving both riders and operators in a state of anticipation.