On Wednesday 2nd, the Mijas Local Police presented its new campaign on electric scooter use, promoted by the Mijas Town Hall through the Public Safety Department with the aim of informing and raising awareness of current regulations on personal mobility vehicles to improve road safety. The campaign will be implemented in different phases, with the first phase focusing on providing information.
In response to the increase in scooter use, the Mijas Town Hall initially approved the Municipal Traffic and Circulation Ordinance at its plenary session in July 2024, which was finally ratified in April this year with the aim of ensuring public safety. Following its publication in the Official Gazette of the Province this past summer, this campaign is now being launched. “With this campaign, we are seeking more than just compliance with the regulations. Our goal is to work together to create a much safer and more responsible public space, where pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and scooter users can coexist without risk”, explained the Councillor for Local Police, Juan Carlos Cuevas Dawson (Vox).
The campaign will be carried out in several phases, the first of which focuses on providing information. According to the councillor, “for now, the emphasis will be on informing users and promoting good practices. We want the regulations to be known and understood, because only through knowledge can responsible mobility be encouraged”.
Regulations and penalties
The ordinance does include penalties, which will be applied at a later stage. Minor offences include riding without a bell, wearing headphones, or riding without adequate lighting. More serious violations include riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The penalty system provides fines ranging from 50 euros to 500 euros for serious cases.
The regulations also include other obligations. The councillor highlighted that “many people do not know that the minimum age for riding a scooter is 15, that riding on pavements and in pedestrian areas is prohibited, and that traffic rules must be respected. Riders should not wear headphones and must not exceed the maximum speed of 25 km/h”.
Finally, they emphasised the importance of being aware of the risks posed by these vehicles, which have already caused accidents. They also pointed out that “some of the recommendations we are making, such as helmet use by adults, are not yet mandatory. However, the Directorate General of Traffic plans to make them mandatory soon, and in Mijas, we want to get ahead of the curve with this awareness-raising campaign”.
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