Tag Archive: regulations

  1. Revised European bicycle trailer standard

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    Source: SAZ Bike

    A revised draft of the European bicycle trailer standard, EN 15918, has been published, introducing updated safety requirements for bicycle trailers, including new provisions covering wheel retention, visibility, braking warnings and compatibility with electrically assisted bicycles (EPACs). However, the draft’s coverage of modern cargo and logistics trailers remains limited.

    The revision has been developed by the European standardisation working group CEN/TC 333/WG 1, Cycles for Common Use and Bicycle Trailers, and is intended to replace the existing EN 15918:2011+A2:2017 standard.

    The updated document seeks to align bicycle trailer safety requirements with current European standards, including EN ISO 4210 for bicycles and EN 1888 for wheeled child conveyances, while reflecting advances in trailer technology and changing patterns of use.

    Strengthening wheel retention and coupling safety

    One of the most significant developments within the draft is the introduction of a dedicated section covering wheels and tyre assemblies.

    For the first time, the standard references requirements contained within EN ISO 4210, including testing procedures for composite wheels, overpressure testing and enhanced user information.

    The revision also addresses wheel retention security, recognising the growing use of quick-release mechanisms, thru-axles and tool-free removable wheels on modern bicycle trailers. The draft acknowledges the potential safety risks associated with incorrectly secured wheel attachments and proposes the development of dedicated requirements for wheel retention systems.

    Greater recognition of e-bike usage

    The revised standard also reflects the increasing use of bicycle trailers with electrically assisted bicycles, or pedelecs.

    Manufacturers will be required to inform users that the use of trailers behind an EPAC may be subject to national legislation, recognising that trailers are now widely used with both conventional bicycles and electric-assist models across Europe.

    Visibility and user safety requirements expanded

    The draft further expands on requirements relating to trailer visibility.

    Manufacturers must ensure trailers are fitted with front, rear and side reflectors, while providing clear guidance on the correct installation of lighting systems. Existing requirements for high-visibility safety flags remain unchanged, with minimum size and mounting height specifications retained.

    In addition, new information requirements will require manufacturers to warn users that towing a trailer can increase braking distances. These warnings must be included both within operating instructions and on product labelling, highlighting the impact that additional loads can have on braking performance and overall handling.

    Durability testing remains mostly unchanged

    While several technical requirements have been updated, the draft retains the existing durability testing procedures.

    Frame and chassis testing will continue to be conducted at 125% of the trailer’s rated load over 10,000 load cycles using 38mm obstacles at a speed of 12.5km/h.

    Similarly, coupling systems must still withstand 100,000 load cycles under forces equivalent to plus or minus 4.5 times the trailer’s total weight.

    Standard continues to exclude larger commercial trailers

    Despite the proposed revisions, the scope of EN 15918 remains largely unchanged.

    The standard continues to apply to two-wheeled bicycle trailers, child trailers carrying up to two children, and trailers with a maximum total mass of 60kg.

    Single-wheel trailers, many bikepacking trailers, heavy-duty cargo trailers and commercial logistics trailers remain outside the scope of the standard, despite their growing use within urban freight and last-mile delivery operations.

    Industry observers note that this leaves an important gap within a rapidly expanding sector, where higher payloads and different operating conditions present additional safety considerations.

    As commercial cargo cycling continues to expand across Europe, further revisions are expected to be required to ensure future standards adequately address the evolving demands of professional transport and urban logistics applications.

  2. E-Bike Positive podcast episode

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    Source: BikeBiz

    The latest episode of the BikeBiz Podcast will focus on the UK’s E-Bike Positive initiative, and the increase of illegally modified e-bikes which have resulted in a decrease in trust from consumers.

    Podcast host Pedro Couto Lopes hosts a panel discussion with three industry leaders who are at the forefront of the regulatory and retail fight back:

    • Jonathan Harrison: Director of the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT), representing independent bicycle dealers (IBDs) on the front line of the retail sector.
    • Scott Longstaff: Brand Director of Madison and Sportline (Ridgeback, Genesis, and Saracen), who represents the brand and distribution landscape.
    • Peter Eland: The Bicycle Association’s Technical and Policy Director, who drives negotiations on the government on public affairs, policy, and safety frameworks.

    Together, they discuss the launch of the industry’s new E-Bike Positive Trustmark, which has been created to defend the legal status of e-bikes, educate the public, and tackle damaging media narratives.

    Topics covered include:

    • Why reputable dealers are rejecting unbranded conversion kits
    • Challenging the prevailing headlines around e-bike fires, and promoting consumer trust
    • Online marketplaces, the gig economy, and lobbying activity
    • What independent bike shops can do to get involved
    • The roadmap to making E-Bike Positive into an international industry standard

    The full podcast episode can be accessed on Bike Biz’s YouTube channel.

  3. Austria introduces new StVO rules for e-scooters, e-bikes and electric mopeds

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    Sources: BMIMI, Gazeta Express, VisaHQ, Travel and Tour World

    Effective from 1 May 2026, Austria’s 36th amendment to the Road Traffic Act (StVO) has broad implications for micromobility use in the country. E-scooters are subject to a set of mandatory technical requirements, and younger riders of both e-scooters and e-bikes must wear helmets.

    Austria’s Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMINI) describes the changes as a “crucial step towards safe and future-proof mobility in Austria,” aiming to improve road safety and clarify rules for newer mobility modes following a rapid rise in shared mobility services, a demand for eco-friendly transport, and tourism-driven e-scooter usage.

    New e-scooter and e-bike rules

    Electric scooters must now be fitted with a working brake, turn signals on the ends of handlebars, a bell or horn, and a white front light and red rear light which must be activated in low-visibility conditions.

    Helmets will be mandatory for e-scooter riders up to the age of 16, and up to the age of 14 for e-bike riders.

    The carrying of passengers on e-scooters is prohibited, as is the carrying of heavy or bulky items on the vehicle’s handlebars. The allowable blood-alcohol limit for e-scooter riders is being lowered from 0.8 to 0.5 per mile.

    E-scooters continue to be allowed to use Austria’s cycling infrastructure, and can be ridden wherever cycling is allowed. It is expected that enforcement will intensify in pedestrian-heavy zones, with authorities monitoring misuse more closely.

    New electric moped rules

    The reformed act clarifies the status of e-mopeds, which had previously been in an ambiguous area. From 1 October 2026, they will be treated as motor vehicles in legal terms, and therefore not permitted on cycle paths. Users will need to register vehicles and obtain insurance coverage, hold a valid driving license, and comply with mandatory helmet laws. It is expected that this change may impact delivery services which have relied on this transport mode for last-mile logistics.

    Automated access controls

    The amendment legalises automated access controls in low-traffic zones, enabling cities to use camera-based systems to enforce congestion bans and delivery windows.

    Implications for shared mobility

    Shared mobility transport providers Lime and Tier have announced phased roll-outs of compliant models of their e-scooter fleets, with the expectation that there may be some temporary service gaps in core urban centres such as Vienna, Linz and Graz. In cities where visitors often rely on e-scooters for sightseeing purposes, it is hoped that the regulatory clarity will enhance both safety and user confidence.

  4. New regulations for private e-scooter owners in Italy

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    Source: Wanted in Rome

    From 16 May 2026, owners of e-scooters operating in Italy without a number plate, and those not having the required insurance from 16 July 2026, will be fined between €100 and €400.

    These latest e-scooter regulations in Italy add on to the legal requirement of compulsory helmet use, which was introduced in December 2024.

    Insurance

    Insurance policies can be taken out and identification plates made by adults and by teenagers over 14, with under-18s needing a parent or guardian to submit an application on their behalf. The insurance policy must provide cover for third-party liabilities incurred during scooter operation, such as injuries to pedestrians and cyclists, or damage to other vehicles.

    The Italian transport ministry emphasises that users must be careful in checking the clauses of insurance policies to ensure appropriate coverage:

    “If the scooter is shared by multiple family members, such as parents and adult children, it’s worth considering whether the third-party liability insurance policy includes a clause covering all drivers or just the registered owner. In the latter case, an accident caused by a family member not listed in the policy may not be covered.”

    Licence plates

    Transport minister Matteo Salvini recently visited the Puglia production plant of the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), which is producing the new e-scooter identification plates.

    They will reportedly come with an adhesive plastic backing made from high-resistance materials and anti-counterfeiting technology, with a unique alphanumeric code and a seal of the Italian Republic.

    How the new regulations will assist with law enforcement

    Once in operation, the system will enable law enforcement to do real-time cross-checking between the e-scooter’s identification plate and the owner’s insurance cover.

  5. Dubai creates dedicated unit for e-scooter and bike regulation enforcement  

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    Sources: Travel and Tour World, Emirates 24/7, The National Image source: RTA

    The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police have launched a Personal Mobility Monitoring Unit, operational from May 1st 2026. The new unit will be responsible for enforcing regulations around the use of e-scooters and bikes, which have been recently reiterated by the RTA as it aims to connect more areas with city landmarks.

    The move comes as concerns about dangerous riding have risen, with doctors seeing increasing numbers of injuries related to e-scooters. Behaviours monitored by the unit include adherence to designated paths, the wearing of helmets and other safety gear such as high-viz clothing, the observation of speed limits, and the carrying of more than one person on a scooter.

    Violations will be issued, and the unit will have the power to impound offending vehicles. Penalties for reckless riding include fines of up to Dh1,050 (€244) for such violations as speeding or ignoring traffic signals.

    The creation of the unit is intended to have a positive influence on the tourist’s experience; personal mobility devices such as electric scooters have become a part of the tourist experience, and authorities aim to ensure that tourists can safely explore the city without putting themselves or others at risk.

    E-scooter rules which have been introduced include:

    • Minimum age of 16
    • Mandatory helmet, and reflective clothing advised
    • E-scooters must not exceed 20 km/h
    • Single occupancy only
    • E-scooters must have working front and rear lights

  6. Electric scooters remain part of Dundalk shared mobility hubs

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    Source: Ireland Live

    Following safety concerns about the improper use of e-scooters, the Irish town’s Louth County Council has confirmed plans to include them with e-bikes in the installation of 41 mobility hubs. The council highlighted that the combination of its own safeguards, and e-scooter providers’ usage measures, should alleviate concerns, and that awareness about proper e-scooter use can be increased with the hubs.

    The inclusion of e-scooters in the hubs in the pilot has been contested by local councillors due to safety concerns, but the area’s Louth County Council have ruled out excluding them.

    Addressing these concerns, Louth County Council’s Director of Major Capital Projects and Infrastructure Delivery, David Jones, said there are e-scooter safeguards, including speed limits and battery power requirements, and added that a similar project was introduced in the Irish town of Wexford in 2024.

    Furthermore, he notes that e-scooter providers have their own checks and balances for use of their e-scooters:

    “People have to do an awareness course online and the provider has a mechanism to monitor the usage by certain users and if there is abuse of it, there is a three strikes and you’re out policy.”

    Jones describes e-scooters as being a “fact of life” and that mobility hubs can be useful in increasing awareness about proper use of them.

    “A combination of the regulations that have been brought in by the government plus the safeguards from the e-scooter provider should be able to alleviate concerns of the members in relation to it.You have to recognise the benefits of them, but clearly there are concerns and that’s why the regulations have come in and why we have safeguards as part of any future mobility hub in Dundalk.”

  7. New Irish regulations to include both e-scooters and e-bikes, says minister

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    Source: RTE

    After recent speculation, Ireland’s Minister for Transport has confirmed that new regulations are being drafted for e-bikes and e-scooters in Ireland, with user safety at the forefront.

    Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD has stated that work on the new regulations commenced weeks ago, with the confirmation that helmet wearing, high visibility clothing and lighting will be mandatory. He also said that e-scooter motor power will also be looked at, due to speed limits reportedly not being adhered to in some cases.

    The minister confirmed the introduction of new regulations with the following statement:

    “In the coming weeks, I will bring forward further draft regulations with regard to e-bikes and e-scooters. But particularly focusing at the safety areas for users.”

    Safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists

    The move follows reports about the increasing use of e-scooters posing a risk for older pedestrians.

    Age Friendly Ireland’s Chief Officer Catherine McGuigan informed politicians at the Committee on Transport that the risk is due to their speed, lack of sound and inappropriate footpath use.

    Further safety concerns have been highlighted, with Cycling Ireland’s CEO James Quilligan reporting that approximately 40% of all serious incidents and road deaths involve pedestrians or cyclists.

    “Those who pose the least danger on our roads are paying the highest price,” he said.

  8. Ireland considers mandatory helmet use for e-scooter riders

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    Source: Zag Daily

    The Irish government is considering introducing compulsory helmet use for e-scooter riders as part of a wider review of road safety regulations. The discussions come amid growing e-scooter adoption, with around 4% of adults in Ireland now regular users, and follow the deaths of three riders in e-scooter-related incidents last year.

    The Irish media has reported that Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister of State for Road Safety Seán Canney and Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien are expected to meet early this year to discuss strengthening existing rules and improving enforcement. Measures under consideration are expected to include mandatory helmet use and the wearing of high-visibility clothing.

    E-scooter safety concerns

    Road safety advocates have emphasised the importance of addressing the most serious risks associated with e-scooter use. Margaret Winchcomb, Deputy Executive Director at the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, said: “Basic risk mitigation starts with tackling the worst things which are most likely to happen.”

    She added: “Head injuries are common in e-scooter riders and the impact of traumatic brain injury can be devastating. The obvious move for Ireland, which many countries in Europe have already taken, is to mandate the wearing of helmets for everyone riding an e-scooter.”

    Operator response to proposed measures

    Micromobility operators have responded cautiously to the proposals. Georgia Heathman, Policy Lead for Ireland at Bolt, which launched Ireland’s first shared e-scooter scheme in 2024, said the operator “welcomes” discussions on measures aimed at improving e-scooter safety.

    “Safety is a top priority for us and we strongly urge all scooter riders to wear a helmet whenever they ride,” Heathman told Zag Daily. “If helmet use were to become mandatory, we would work closely with local authorities to understand the practical implications and ensure any changes support safe, responsible and accessible micromobility across Ireland.”

    Private vs shared e-scooter safety

    Heathman noted that the majority of safety incidents involve privately owned e-scooters. While private e-scooters are legal in Ireland and subject to a speed limit of 20 km/h, they can be tampered with to exceed that limit.

    On Bolt’s shared e-scooter service, riders are capped at 20 km/h, must be at least 18 years old (compared with a minimum age of 16 for private e-scooters), and all trips are tracked via GPS. The operator also uses in-app reaction tests to address riding under the influence and deploys technology designed to prevent more than one person riding a scooter at a time.

    Current legal framework and industry debate

    E-scooters have been legal in Ireland since May 2024. Under the current framework, riders are not required to wear helmets or high-visibility clothing, nor are they required to hold a licence, register their vehicle, or pay tax or insurance.

    Mandatory helmet use remains a subject of debate within the global shared micromobility industry, balancing safety considerations against concerns about potential impacts on ridership. In the UK, helmet use is not legally required but is strongly recommended, with local authorities participating in e-scooter trials (extended until May 2028), provided that they contribute to policymaking, such as being able to test approaches to helmet policies.

    From an industry standpoint, operators often promote helmet use through voluntary measures, including providing free helmets when launching services or offering incentives to riders who choose to wear them.

  9. Significant changes to Spain’s e-scooter rules

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    Source: Euro Weekly News, Guide to Canary Islands

    From January 2, 2026, owners of e-scooters in Spain will be subject to fresh rules outlined by the country’s traffic authority, the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT). The rules on personal mobility vehicles (PMVs), which include e-scooters, mandate registration and rider insurance, control who can manufacture and sell them, and dictate which models are allowed on public roads.

    The changes align e-scooters more closely to cars and motorbikes, and are reported to make it easier for authorities to identify responsibility in the event of accidents or misuse, or in the distribution of fines.

    Registration and insurance

    PMV owners must ensure that their vehicle:

    • Is registered with the DGT to qualify for legal circulation
    • Have an official circulation certificate, confirming that the vehicle meets all technical standards
    • Display a visible identification tag or licence plate which is linked to the National Vehicle Register

    The registration information will include key data about the owner’s identity and compulsory insurance details, and the vehicle’s manufacturer, brand, model and certification laboratory details. The certification process will involve testing in DGT-authorised laboratories; after approval, manufacturers will be allowed to register the specific model and display a “DGT certified” label.

    Ownership changes will also now be recorded, in the same way as for cars and motorbikes.

    Rider rules

    • Civil liability insurance must be in place
    • Helmet use is compulsory
    • Reflective vests must be worn
    • E-scooters can only be ridden by one person – no passengers are allowed
    • A speed of 25 km/h must not be exceeded, and any lower speed limit restrictions must be observed
    • The use of headphones and mobile phones while riding is prohibited