Fears of their permanent removal from public sidewalks if the managers of their rental companies and their users do not comply, warn the municipality and the Police.
By Theodoros Saplaouras
Trend of the season or just an additional headache in cities? Electric skates (scooters) have also filled the streets of the capital, however, their anarchic placement on sidewalks and areas that are not allowed worries the authorities. Of course, it is worth noting that they are environmentally friendly and contribute to the relief of traffic congestion in the city, with low energy consumption and energy savings. And while their purchase and rental have grown steeply and the number of people buying electric scooters is increasing according to shopkeepers, they still don't know how to properly use and manage them for their own safety and that of those around them.
With 350 scooters
Nicosia counts 350 scooters spread along its streets, and more prominently in its center. But from there it seems that the problem that exists in the area with the aforementioned misuse of movement and parking also begins. However, this issue does not end here, since through it the intense disagreements between the local authorities and the rental companies were born as to the responsibility of the anarchy that exists on the streets. A year and a half ago, the plenary session of the Parliament passed the legislative framework that will govern the use and circulation of electric skates (scooters) in our country with the specified measures, their circulation in car lanes where the upper speed limit is 30 km ./hour, in cycling infrastructure, e.g. cycle paths, cycle lanes or cycle path extension which bears a special sign or in places which may be allowed by the municipality or community, e.g. squares and sidewalks. Also, their use by persons 14 years of age and older and the mandatory use of a helmet (bicycle type) are two additional measures, the violation of which results in an out-of-court fine of €50 and €85 respectively.
At that time, the Municipality of Nicosia, in coordination with the Union of Municipalities, had given permission to private scooter rental companies to place them in specific parts of the city's streets to better serve the citizens, something that does not seem to be followed faithfully from them, as the chairman of the Traffic Management Committee of the Municipality of Nicosia, Chrysanthos Fakas, reports to "P". According to Mr. Faka, the municipality has indicated permitted points and 30 km rings have been defined, which are the entire shopping center and side streets, such as Stasikratous and Evagorou, various parts of the old city, but also the cycle paths which join Eleftherias Square, however it has expressly prohibited their parking on public sidewalks where their placement makes it difficult for pedestrians and electric wheelchairs to move freely. The companies, however, according to Mr. Faka, do not want to obey the compliance of the anarchic positioning carried out by the users of the scooters, as a result of which we see them in many streets of the municipality and especially in Makariou. He added that the police authorities are also informed about the situation, and that they in turn have contacted the specific companies to explain to them the way and the points that should be placed. He also pointed out that the Municipality of Nicosia encourages sustainable micro-mobility and urges citizens to start using this alternative mode of transport in order to reduce the use of the car.
Warnings
On behalf of the Police, the information regarding communication with the municipality on this matter is confirmed and, according to information, in cooperation with the municipality and also with the competent department of Public Works, the Police is in the process of preparing a letter to the companies rental office to inform them once again – and officially – where the electric skates should be placed. The goal is for the companies, in collaboration with the local and police authorities, to know and inform the users themselves about the ideal places to place the scooters after their use. The Police appear to be warning that if they do not take some compliance action they will ask local authorities to begin the process of removing rental scooters from public roads, a practice we have seen followed by other countries, as will be done in Malta from March.
Citizens are insecure
While there are some safeguards, such as taking a photo to let the company know if the spot where the rider leaves their scooter is permitted or not, this process doesn't seem to work by them, resulting in them being abandoned in various places city's. Many see them on ramps for the disabled, on crossings and sidewalks. Citizens say it is obvious that the necessary control is not applied by companies and local authorities and this can bring bigger problems. They believe that in a very short period of time Nicosia can acquire a remarkable infrastructure, with a significant network of separate lanes for skates, and it is a measure that those in charge must take seriously and implement immediately, because society has need the use of electric skates. Many believe that the main responsibility is the state because it does not proceed with essential control of the companies, to which it has given their operating license and they believe that after taking the money for each scooter they have now raised their hands and as a result there is this anarchy outside the roads and the safety of citizens has been left at the mercy. They therefore believe that the legislation for their movement should be changed and their movement should be legalized on other roads than those recommended so far, if we don't want all that is observed daily on the city's streets to soon backfire on us with an increase in fatalities or even with their definitive ban.