The Government has introduced new regulations governing the use of ‘personal displacement vehicles.’ The move comes in the wake of a series of accidents involving powered bicycles and other vehicles.

In a presentation to the press, Ms Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Minister of Infrastructure, Environment and Town Planning, and Mr Patrice Cellario, Minister of the Interior, said that the new rules are intended to ensure a harmonious relationship with conventional vehicles.

“The Prince’s Government relied on the expertise of around forty representatives of institutions and the voluntary sector to conduct a study whose objective was to define rules of use in order to improve both this mobility in full development and the safety of all users,” Marie-Pierre Gramaglia said.

Several measures have been adopted: wearing a compulsory helmet for all cyclists up to 18 years of age, authorising bicycles to travel in bus lanes and lowering the age of use of Monabike from 16 to 14 years.

Regarding electric scooters, the use of which is now authorised, the following are compulsory: the wearing of a helmet for those under 18 and the wearing of retro-reflective clothing or equipment. They must be equipped with brakes, horn, lights and a reflecting device. They are authorised to drive on the roadway, bus lanes, and cycle paths. However, they are prohibited on sidewalks unless pushed by hand.

In addition, users of non-motorised EDP (skateboards, rollerblades, scooters without motor) are considered as pedestrians and must therefore circulate on the sidewalks. Regarding hoverboards, Segways and monoroues, they are prohibited from driving on the road but are authorised on cycle paths.

PHOTO: Monabike