The authorities of the capital of Spain, Madrid, intend to revoke the operating licenses of all companies Lime, Dott and Tier that provide electric scooters to residents and tourists. According to the city administration, electric scooters threaten the safety of pedestrians.
„According to local authorities, the ride-sharing companies did not comply with the requirements set out in the work permits issued to them a year earlier. It is also alleged that the companies obstructed the inspections and did not provide the requested information. Among the requirements for sharing are having insurance coverage available and introducing technologies that prohibit the movement or parking of these vehicles in prohibited places, local media wrote.
None of this has been done, city officials say. The representatives of the companies that rent electric scooters are disappointed by the decision, but they hope for a constructive dialogue with the municipal council. Although Madrid City Hall has stressed that no new permits for the operation of electric scooters will be issued to companies. The good news is that the mayor's order will not apply to personal vehicles - at least at this stage, their owners can use them legally.
Previously, renting electric scooters was banned in Melbourne, Australia. The authorities' decision was preceded by numerous complaints and a large number of incidents involving electric scooters. A ban on the use of personal mobility devices was also introduced in Paris, France, which came into force at the end of August this year when the contracts with the companies expired.