Helmets to become obligatory to ride personal mobility vehicles
The amendment to the by-law on circulation, pedestrians and vehicles comes into effect on 1 January and will also reserve pavements for pedestrians by prohibiting the circulation of personal mobility vehicles and bicycles on them, except for children and those accompanying them on bikes.
The new by-law will also go further in prohibiting parking for motorcycles on pavements in areas around schools and hospitals. This brings the regulation into line with the state regulations and ensures coexistence, road safety and protection for pedestrians on city streets.
Clearer regulation of personal mobility vehicles (PMV)
Personal mobility vehicles will be defined as unipersonal vehicles, meaning they can be used by just the rider, with the following safety elements established at essential: obligatory use of helmets and the vehicle to have front and back lights.
The current regulations prohibit the use of PMVs by people aged under 16 and limits their use to bike lanes and streets with speed limits up to a maximum of 30 km/h. The amendment will make it clear that these vehicles may not travel in excess of 25 km/h and 10 km/h in bike lanes on pavements.
Pavements for pedestrians
The new text prohibits the circulation of PMVs and bicycles on pavements, leaving these for the exclusive use of pedestrians. As an exception, adults transporting children with authorised systems (trailers or child seats) or accompanying children up to the age of 12 may use pavements.
Either way, PMV riders and cyclists still have the obligation to get off their vehicle in crowded areas shared with pedestrians.
New restrictions on parking motorcycles on pavements
Besides the specific prohibition on parking motorcycles on pavements in areas around schools and hospitals, the by-law on circulation, pedestrians and vehicles allows for fines for parking in entrances reserved for pedestrians, bike lanes and in front of waste containers.
Bicycles and PMVs used for urban goods distribution will be able to use loading and unloading spaces under the same conditions as motor vehicles. At the same time, loading and unloading any vehicle in a bike lane is specifically prohibited.
Although the changes to the by-law come into force on 1 January, no fines will be given until February. A team of information staff will be explaining the changes to users from 23 December.
Somebody carrying a child on a bike with a child seat
A moped on a pavement waits to go into the street
A cyclist along the seafront by the Bogatell breakwater, where people are seated on deck chairs and stone seats