Tag Archive: rental scooters

  1. An uncertain future for micromobility services in Malaga, Spain

    Comments Off on An uncertain future for micromobility services in Malaga, Spain

    Source: La Opinión de Málaga

    Malaga City Council is set to revoke the temporary authorizations granted to six micromobility companies operating scooter and bicycle rental services in the city.

    The decision, announced by Mayor Francisco de la Torre during the Debate on the State of the City, signals the potential end of a service that has been a fixture in Malaga for nearly a decade.

    Regulatory breaches

    The companies affected by the decision—Lime, Bird, Link, Dott, Bolt, and Tier—were found to have violated the conditions of their permits, according to Mayor De la Torre. Each company was previously authorized to operate 225 personal mobility vehicles (PMVs), with Dott and Bolt also permitted 350 electric bicycles.

    “The proliferation of this service in cities, including Malaga, creates problems that we must address,” stated De la Torre. The city’s temporary authorizations were initially intended to sustain the service after a legal challenge disrupted efforts to regulate the sector through a concession model.

    Legal hurdles

    In 2022, the National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) appealed the city’s plan to streamline operations under a single concessionaire. The CNMC argued that this system imposed undue restrictions on market access. While the lawsuit remains unresolved in the National Court, the City Council issued temporary permits to keep micromobility services operational. The revocation of these permits now places the future of the rental scooter market in jeopardy.

    Rising safety concerns

    The decision to revoke authorizations also comes amid growing concerns about the safety of electric scooters. Data from the Malaga Local Police reveals a sharp 72% increase in accidents involving scooters over the past three years. In 2021, 164 accidents were reported, rising to 212 in 2022 and 282 in 2023. During the first five months of 2024 alone, 187 incidents were recorded, 38 of which required hospital care.

    Future implications

    Without these temporary permits, the micromobility sector in Malaga could face a significant pause, if not a complete cessation. The City Council’s efforts to regulate the industry were intended to address issues such as oversaturation, safety, and public nuisance. However, ongoing legal and operational challenges have hindered progress.

    As Malaga grapples with this decision, it remains to be seen whether alternative solutions will emerge to address both the legal and practical complexities of micromobility in the city.

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