Parliament passes new regulations for personal mobility devices

The Cypriot Parliament voted on Thursday to increase the minimum age for operating personal mobility devices, such as electric scooters, from 14 to 17 years. This legislative amendment was proposed by DISY members Foteini Tsiridou and Dimitris Demetriou and passed with 38 votes in favor and two abstentions. Lawmakers also approved proposals from Green Party leader Stavros Papadouris, requiring devices to meet CE standards and granting police the authority to temporarily confiscate vehicles in cases of violations. Additionally, the new law introduces fines for owners who fail to prevent the use of these devices by minors under 17 or for carrying passengers under that age. Proposals submitted by DIPA member Alekos Tryfonides, which sought a total ban on the use of such devices in public spaces, were rejected by the House. Supporters of the rejected ban had cited significant safety risks and a lack of proper infrastructure, but the majority of stakeholders ultimately favored regulation over prohibition.