E-scooter controls tightened in Cyprus: More than 1,000 violations within a few days
E-scooter controls tightened in Cyprus: More than 1,000 violations within a few days
Police in Cyprus take stock - over 1,000 reports and 28 seized e-scooters
Anyone who rides an e-scooter in Cyprus should know the applicable regulations very well by now. The police are stepping up checks – and the latest figures show that violations are by no means isolated.
According to the Cypriot police, a total of 1,042 violations of e-scooter regulations were detected in two large-scale control operations. Around 28 e-scooters were temporarily confiscated.
During the latest nationwide action from Friday to Sunday alone, officers registered 526 violations.
Of these
- , 219 cases were due to the use of e-scooters in areas where driving was not permitted,
- 116 cases to driving without a mandatory safety helmet,
- 86 cases to the lack of fluorescent or mandatory high-visibility clothing,
- 23 cases to missing or unused lighting,
- and 82 cases to other violations.
A further 516 violations had already been detected during a previous control operation from July 31 to August 2, 2026.
Among other things, 249 drivers were complained about for the use of unauthorized areas, 103 for lack of helmets, 89 for lack of high-visibility clothing and 21 for lack of lighting.
This means that more than 1,000 violations were registered within the two actions together.
Stricter rules have been in force in Cyprus since 2026
The background to the increased controls is a change in Cypriot legislation for so-called personal mobility devices, which include e-scooters in particular.
The corresponding amendments N.106(I)/2026 and N.107(I)/2026 were published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus on 22 April 2026.
One of the most important changes concerns the minimum age:
e-scooters may only be ridden from the age of 17.
Previously, the age limit was 14 years.
Parents, owners or other responsible adults must also be careful: Anyone who allows a minor below the legal minimum age to use the scooter or does not sufficiently prevent it from using the scooter can also expect consequences.
The authorities justify the tightening in particular with road safety and accidents with younger drivers.
Where can you ride an e-scooter at all?
It is precisely at this point that many misunderstandings arise in Cyprus.
An e-scooter may not be automatically ridden on every road.
According to the legal regulations or the requirements of the Ministry of Transport, the following areas in particular come into question:
Cycle paths and designated cycling areas
as well as certain
roads with a maximum permissible speed of 30 km/h.
Certain areas shared by pedestrians and cyclists may also be permitted.
On squares and pedestrian areas, on the other hand, use is only permitted if the respective municipality or municipality expressly permits it and appropriate signage is available.
Conversely, this means that
a normal road with a maximum speed of 50 km/h, for example, is not automatically approved for e-scooters.
It is precisely this point that should explain why a particularly large number of drivers were reported for using unauthorized areas during the most recent checks.
Helmet is mandatory
A suitable and correctly closed safety helmet is part of the prescribed safety equipment.
The police found 219 violations due to missing helmets in the two most recent actions alone.
In addition, there are regulations on highly visible or fluorescent elements or clothing.
Especially in the dark, visibility plays a decisive role.
Lights, brakes and other technical requirements
The e-scooter itself must also meet certain requirements.
These include, among other things, a functioning brake system and the prescribed lighting at the front and rear. In addition, there are requirements for the technical characteristics and permissibility of the devices.
With the 2026 amendment to the law, the technical requirements were further specified. The devices must meet the prescribed safety or conformity requirements.
This is particularly relevant for owners of powerful or technically modified e-scooters.
Attention to speed
There is currently a lot of confusion here, because older information sheets and websites sometimes still mention the earlier requirements.
The original regulation basically provided for a maximum speed of 20 km/h for e-scooters.
With the change in the law in 2026, the relevant limit was raised to 25 km/h.
However, it is not only how fast the scooter can technically drive that is decisive. In addition, the respective regulations of the area in which the vehicle is driven apply.
For example, if you are driving in a specially protected area or in a shared area with pedestrians, you have to drive more slowly.
Police may confiscate e-scooters
Another important change concerns the powers of the authorities.
In the case of certain violations, the police can now temporarily seize or confiscate an e-scooter.
This option has already been used: In connection with the current checks, around 28 devices have been confiscated.
This means that the risk is no longer limited exclusively to a fine.
The most important rules for e-scooter riders in Cyprus
If you want to avoid trouble, you should pay particular attention to the following points:
Minimum age: 17 years
Helmet: mandatory
Visibility: observe mandatory fluorescent or reflective equipment
Lighting: working front and rear lights
Driving area: not every public road is approved for e-scooters
30 km/h roads: can generally be included in the permissible traffic areas
Cycle paths: generally important permitted traffic areas
Pedestrian areas and squares: only where the responsible municipality expressly allows use
Speed: current legal requirements and local restrictions Technical
condition: the scooter must meet the legal safety requirements
Children: Persons under the age of 17 are generally not allowed to use
the devicesConfiscation: in the event of violations, the police can temporarily confiscate
MFRadio.de says: The real problem is the infrastructure
More safety for e-scooters makes sense in principle. Helmets, lighting and consideration for pedestrians should be a matter of course.
However, the high number of violations for driving in unauthorised areas also shows a fundamental problem in Cyprus:
In many cities and municipalities, there is a lack of a consistent and clearly recognisable infrastructure for e-scooters and bicycles.
If you want to use a scooter legally, you are sometimes faced with the question of where to drive at all. On many larger roads, use is not permitted, while at the same time cycle paths are missing or suddenly end.
In MFRadio.de's view, this is precisely where not only the police and drivers should be held responsible. Cities and municipalities must also ensure that safe and understandably signposted traffic routes for modern forms of mobility are created.
Because one thing is clear: e-scooters will not disappear from the streets of Cyprus.
MFRadio.de – News and information from Cyprus for German-speaking residents, expats and holidaymakers.
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