The Riga Municipal Police have concluded, following increased enforcement efforts, that minors are increasingly using micromobility devices, and that some are unable to produce the required documentation or violate traffic rules, Latvian Radio reported on 17th March.
Although the season for scooters and other micromobility devices has not yet truly begun, spring weather and school breaks have encouraged more active use of these electric scooters, self-balancing bikes, shared scooters, and other devices.
Last week, Rīga Municipal Police officers inspected 104 micromobility devices and recorded violations: in 35 cases, riders were unable to present a license to operate a bicycle or any category of vehicle; 34 violations of shared-use regulations were identified, in 29 cases these devices were left outside authorised parking areas, and in 12 cases, riders proceeded through a red light.
Additionally, in seven cases, vehicles were driven by minors, and in seven instances, passengers were transported without authorisation; several instances were also identified where riders travelled in the opposite direction of traffic, failed to hold the handlebars, or used a phone while riding, without a helmet (for persons under 16 years of age) or without reflectors.
Based on these statistics, both the police and the municipality are calling on micromobility service providers to strengthen their monitoring and control mechanisms to prevent minors from using these vehicles without authorisation.
Rihards Devels, chief specialist at the Prevention, Coordination, and Statistics Division of the Riga Municipal Police, said: “Given that we have identified seven cases where minors are using shared micromobility devices, this concerns us. In principle, you can ride micromobility devices starting at age 14, but the operators themselves have prohibited their use until 18.”
“We have also sent three letters to the Consumer Rights Protection Centre regarding this matter, asking them to conduct inspections. But it is essential to note that when riding and participating in road traffic on an electric bicycle, a pedal-assisted bicycle, or an electric scooter, a person must hold a bicycle license or a license for any other category,” said Devels.
The municipal police have also imposed administrative fines on riders for the aforementioned violations. The police also noted that in eight cases, riders were operating without civil liability insurance. Since last July, these vehicles have required a mandatory civil liability insurance policy, but only about 30% of private individuals who own these vehicles have purchased one so far.
Jānis Abāšins, head of the Latvian Insurers Association, said: “Currently, out of nearly 11,000 registered vehicles, approximately 3,300 are insured, meaning that approximately 30% of micromobility devices owned by individuals are insured.”
The municipal police will continue to intensify their monitoring of micromobility device users, but with the start of this warm season, they are also urging parents to discuss traffic rules with their children to avoid risks.
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