Lisbon changes direction on scooters

In the fight against worsening climate change, cities around the world have been attempting to reduce vehicle emissions in a variety of ways. These green schemes include car sharing, as well as bike and electric scooter hire.

For many, the e-scooter's the perfect solution for city travel. Costing little to run and offering easy access to most parts of the city, e-scooters have been adopted in numerous capitals. However, they also come with a range of problems, such as parking.

Lisbon, Portugal is the most recent city to have experienced the drawbacks of e-scooters. The mayor, Carlos Moedas, outlines the measures to be introduced, to tackle both the nuisance and the danger they cause.

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."

The Portuguese capital is to follow the example set by Stockholm and Oslo, cities which have already implemented measures to limit the disruption and accidents generated by this mode of transport.

Marino Machado's a hospital surgeon and also an author of a study on scooter road accidents.

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."

It's hoped that once these measures are put in place this month, the level of problems will decline and there won't need to be a total ban on scooters, as has actually happened in Barcelona and Montreal.

Micaela, a fan of e-scooters, believes the new regulations are a good move for everyone.

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

View Less