“We will wait for the conclusions of the hearings that are being held, if it is necessary to make some changes, we will certainly have to adjust the legislative framework to the needs, but we will assess whether or not it is a necessity”, José Luís Carneiro, when asked if the Government is going to change the Highway Code, taking into account the new forms of mobility, such as scooters and electric bicycles.

The minister was speaking after chairing the opening of the seminar "Active Mobility: Future in Security", organised by the Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI) and the National Authority for Road Safety (ANSR).

In this initiative, the official left the message that currently the municipalities already have "the possibility of regulating the speed and parking" for scooters within the localities.

“The municipalities, with regard to smooth mobility, more specifically the use of scooters, already have possibilities, in terms of municipal postures, which are approved in chamber meetings and municipal assemblies, to proceed with the reduction of speed and also powers of regulate the conditions and parking places of these vehicles”, he explained.

The minister, who expressed satisfaction that the big cities are seeking to regulate the use of scooters, in particular Lisbon and Porto, underlined that "there is work that can be done by the municipalities" in relation to this type of vehicle.

“Right now, reducing speed within municipalities can be done without any change in legislation”, he stressed, noting that “ANSR and MAI are available to support municipalities in drawing up their road safety plans”.

Regarding the licensing of entities that own scooters, the minister also advanced that this matter has been worked on with the State Secretariat for Local Administration, which has already presented a proposal for this power to pass to the municipalities.

The minister also noted that "there are three issues that arise when talking about soft mobility vehicles", namely "speed, parking within cities, and the issue of security", which included user insurance.

Regarding the inspection of these vehicles in the localities, the government official referred that it is up to the municipal inspection services or municipal police.


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