What should e-scooter riders in Bratislava watch out for?

With the arrival of warmer weather, the metropolitan police have intensified checks on e-scooters in Bratislava. With their growing popularity, the number of cases where the weakest road users, i.e. pedestrians, are endangered by e-scooters is increasing.

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“In recent years, e-scooters have become very popular in Bratislava,” said Barbora Krajčovičová, spokesperson of the Bratislava municipal police, as quoted by the SITA newswire.

Rules apply when riding an electric scooter, which must be followed by the user, Krajčovičová noted, adding that patrols by the metropolitan police have been supervising whether e-scooter riders are observing them.

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“During the first months of this year, we have taken preventive measures and the metropolitan policemen were seen in several places instructing e-scooter riders, but also cyclists, about safety principles,” she said.

A fine of up to €50

More intensive controls of riders of e-scooters and bikes will continue in in the coming weeks.

“Violators of the rules can be fined up to €50,” warned Krajčovičová.

Since scooters with auxiliary motors are considered small electric vehicles, people riding them are motorists who cannot use pedestrian zones unless a road sign allows them to do so.

“When entering some pedestrian zones you may notice for example, the symbol of an electric scooter, bicycle or an e-bike. In this case, persons may also enter on these devices,” Krajčovičová explained.

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People using conventional scooters without an auxiliary motor are considered ordinary pedestrians. In the same way, pedestrians are also persons walking along the pavement and pushing a bicycle, electric bicycle or scooter with an auxiliary motor.

More accidents than last year

Up to 10 traffic accidents caused by scooter riders have been recorded by the police since the beginning of the year in Bratislava Region. Last year there was not even one in the same period. In six accidents the driver of the scooter was at fault; three were under the influence of alcohol. In seven cases, the scooter driver was slightly injured and in one case he succumbed to his injuries after a collision with a car in a parking lot. The Bratislava metropolitan police have recorded only three offences so far this year. In last year’s peak season from April to September there were 59, the Sme daily reported.

Police most often deal with several people driving one scooter and illegal speeding on pavements, where scooters are only allowed to travel at walking speed, i.e. five kilometres per hour.