Lisbon changes scooter direction - 1st March 2023

Like many other cities, the Portuguese capital Lisbon has tried electric scooters. Most people believe e-scooters are one quick solution to fighting climate change. The vehicles aren't costly, they're simple to use and are able to travel anywhere around a city.

But scooters can also bring plenty of problems. There are sometimes too many of them and they are often driven too fast. Users sometimes park them badly on the city streets as well.

Carlos Moedas is the city's mayor. He says Lisbon is now ready to introduce new rules.

Carlos Moedas:"Three major decisions have been taken concerning scooters. Firstly, compulsory parking places, so that people can no longer leave their scooters wherever they want. We will create "hot spots" where they can leave their scooters and only there can they leave them. Secondly, a limited number of scooters for each operator. Thirdly, the maximum speed is set at 20 kilometres per hour."

Some places, like Stockholm and Oslo have already taken steps to limit e-scooter problems.

Marino Machado is a hospital doctor. He's also written a study on scooter accidents and understands the high cost.

Marino Machado: "As for scooter accidents, in financial terms, if you add emergency care, medical consultations, hospital admissions and surgeries, you are looking at around 300,000 euros over the course of one year."

The new rules are going to be brought in this month. If the situation doesn't improve, e-scooters may be removed from the streets. This has already happened in Barcelona and Montreal.

One e-scooter user thinks the new rules are a positive change.

Micaela Marcos: "I think these measures are good, they will improve safety for users, for drivers and for pedestrians."