A public consultation about the policy which will regulate micromobility in Malta, particularly the e-kickscooter alternative means of transport, has been launched by Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg.

The Minister spoke of the importance of continuing to promote the concept of multimodality and the use of alternative sustainable means of transport on our road network.

He noted that the e-kickscooter has been “somewhat controversial” globally, with countries that allowed it to be introduced without any regulation and others that did not even allow it into the country.

Some of the proposals included in the document include:

“All electric e-kickscooters, whether individually owned or used as part of an e-kickscooter sharing service, have to be adequately insured as well as registered and licensed with Transport Malta.

“For this reason a registration and an identification number would be issued in the form of a registration sticker which would need to be affixed to the stem of the e-kickscooter;

“A one-time registration fee is set at € 11.65 while an annual licence of €25 per year in the form of a road licence will be charged to e-kickscooter owners. These costs are intended to cover the respective infrastructure and maintenance cost that such a transport mode requires;

“Only drivers with an eligible driving licence will be able to drive the e-kickscooters (Categories A, B and AM – over 18 years of age only)”

Minister Borg stated that, “we are working to achieve an important balance, a balance that prioritises first and foremost the safety of those using this means of transport as well as those sharing the space with them, especially more vulnerable people such as pedestrians.”

“This means of transport seems to already be very popular with youths and we felt that we should regulate it and create an opportunity for another small and sustainable means of transport to form part of the transport culture shift we are working hard to achieve,” he added.

“I look forward to welcoming the opinions and thoughts of the public and stakeholders about the new means of transport,” concluded the Minister.

Access to the document and to the public consultation space is available by clicking here. Submissions have to be in by the 22nd of September.

Photo: DOI/Reuben Piscopo

Permalink: Regulating e-kickscooters in Malta – public consultation launched