Government approves mandatory helmet use for e-scooter riders

Government approved legislation making helmet use mandatory for e-scooter riders, Sustainable Mobility Minister Chris Bonett announced.

In a video posted on Facebook, Bonett said the measure was only the first step in a broader effort to improve road safety, noting that several organisations and individuals had come forward with proposals.

Among them was the Malta Insurance Association, with which Bonett said discussions would continue as the government works towards more comprehensive reforms.

“The reforms will keep coming, and we will keep working,” he said.

The minister had announced the measure last Thursday following an e-scooter accident which left a 15-year-old girl seriously injured.

Bonett reaffirmed his support for e-scooters as a sustainable alternative mode of transport, but stressed that their use must be accompanied by effective safety regulations.

What regulations are already in place?

In his video, Bonett also outlined existing regulations governing e-scooter use, including a minimum riding age of 16 and the requirement to pass a theory test and obtain a certificate issued by Transport Malta.

He also reminded the public that e-scooters capable of exceeding 20km/h are not permitted on public roads.

Bonett urged prospective buyers to ensure that the e-scooters they purchase comply with legal requirements and to request a certificate of conformity from the manufacturer.