Athens, November 21 – The Municipality of Athens has officially adopted a comprehensive set of regulations concerning the circulation and parking of Electric Personal Light Vehicles (EPLV), which includes electric scooters. The decision, approved by a majority vote in the Municipal Council, aims to enhance urban mobility, improve road safety, and safeguard public spaces, as stated by Mayor Haris Doukas and relevant Deputy Mayors.
Mayor Doukas: “Reclaiming public space and bringing order to scooter chaos”
Mayor Doukas emphasized the municipality’s commitment to “reclaiming public space and bringing order to the chaos of scooters.” He added, “We are promoting micromobility in the city, but with clear rules for each Municipal District. The new regulation prohibits EPLV movement on sidewalks, around the Acropolis, and on Ermou and Aiolou streets. We are also setting speed limits and creating 1,574 parking spaces for rental scooters across 124 mass parking zones. We are actively protecting the accessibility of all our fellow citizens.”
Maro Evangelidou, Deputy Mayor for Urban Regeneration and Resilience, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the new framework. “The new regulation is the result of systematic work by municipal staff, who toiled for months to create a framework of rules and better organization of public space. We believe that micromobility is part of the solution to Athens’ traffic problems, which is why we are promoting a cohesive policy aimed at a city that works better for everyone and offers hope for tomorrow.”
Thomas Georgiadis, Deputy Mayor for Municipal Police and Public Shared Spaces, affirmed the role of the Municipal Police in enforcing the new rules. “The Municipal Police will undertake the operational implementation of the regulation through intensive controls. With physical presence, the use of digital tools, and cooperation with municipal services, we can now monitor EPLVs in real-time and intervene where necessary. This establishes a stable framework for rule adherence, respecting pedestrians and the smooth operation of the city.”
Key Changes for EPLVs in Athens
The new regulations seek to address issues of irregular parking and unsafe use of EPLVs. The regulatory framework for the Municipality of Athens introduces the following key changes:
1. Circulation:
- Complete ban: Circulation and parking are entirely prohibited in the area surrounding the Acropolis in the historic center, in groves, and on the pedestrian streets of Ermou and Aiolou.
- Speed limit: A speed limit of 6 km/h (the speed of a fast-walking pedestrian) is imposed in the Psyrri area, on Kerameikou pedestrian street, and in all other pedestrian streets and public spaces.
- Sidewalks: Movement on sidewalks is prohibited. Riders must dismount and walk with the vehicle alongside them.
- Roads: Circulation is not permitted on roads with a speed limit exceeding 50 km/h or in additional sections designated by the municipality.
- Rental companies: Rental companies are advised to use their existing software for vehicle tracking and speed limitation (“cutter”) enforcement.
2. Parking:
- For citizens: EPLVs must be parked in a way that ensures a 1.5-meter clear passage for pedestrians. Parking is prohibited on ramps, crossings, building entrances, other critical access points, and within 20 meters of archaeological sites.
- For rental companies: Parking in public spaces is exclusively allowed in the 124 mass parking zones designated by the municipality across all Municipal Districts, offering a total of 1,574 available spaces. Each parking space measures 1.3 m x 0.4 m.
Specifics per Municipal District for Rental Companies:
- 1st Municipal District: 516 spaces, charged at 120 euros per space/year.
- 2nd Municipal District: 178 spaces, charged at 120 euros per space/year.
- 3rd Municipal District: 134 spaces, charged at 80 euros per space/year.
- 4th Municipal District: 168 spaces, charged at 60 euros per space/year.
- 5th Municipal District: 214 spaces, charged at 60 euros per space/year.
- 6th Municipal District: 148 spaces, charged at 80 euros per space/year.
- 7th Municipal District: 216 spaces, charged at 80 euros per space/year.
3. Licensing for EPLV Companies:
The licensing process for EPLV companies requires submitting an application in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements. Annual collection and evaluation of dossiers will take place. The allocation of parking spaces will be based on safety valves to prevent market distortions, with each company eligible for a specific maximum number of spaces in each mass parking zone. The final configuration and demarcation of spaces will be carried out under the supervision of the municipality, in cooperation with the companies.
4. Sanctions and Control:
The regulation includes a clear framework for sanctions and controls. Provisions of the Highway Code apply to traffic and parking violations. Illegally parked vehicles will be removed, and the license to use public parking spaces may be revoked. All EPLVs must have a unique serial number and be registered in a special registry. Fleet monitoring will be conducted in real-time via software in collaboration with DAEM S.A. OTA. Speed and zone compliance checks will be carried out by the Municipal Police and relevant Police Authorities. Furthermore, the Directorate of Cleanliness, in cooperation with the Municipal Police, can remove illegally parked vehicles, with fines imposed based on the serial number.
The implementation of the new regulation will be accompanied by the marking and configuration of special parking spaces, digital monitoring of spaces and charges through a dedicated platform, and a targeted information campaign for users and rental companies. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure a smooth and effective transition to the new framework. With this step, the Municipality of Athens seeks to integrate micromobility into the city’s daily life, prioritizing safety, accessibility, and respect for public space.
Source: https://www.ertnews.gr/eidiseis/ellada/neoi-kanones-gia-ta-ilektrika-patinia-eksorizontai-apo-tin-akropoli-kai-to-istoriko-kentro-tis-athinas-apagoreyetai-na-kinountai-sta-pezodromia/
