Greek traffic police have launched a fresh wave of checks on electric scooters across the Attica region, following two serious accidents that left a 14-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy badly injured on the islands of Tinos and in the Athens suburb of Glyka Nera. The enforcement drive targets underage riders and general compliance with the Highway Code, while authorities are also scrutinising businesses that sell, rent or supply these vehicles.
Athens city centre, where e-scooter use is particularly dense, is a focal point. Police say they have received numerous complaints about scooters abandoned on pavements, squeezing the space available for pedestrians.
Alarming statistics from Attica
Data from the Attica Traffic Directorate underline the scale of the problem. In the first eight months of 2026, officers carried out 6,127 checks on e-scooter users and recorded 3,700 offences. Of these, 1,844 involved rental scooters and roughly 1,800 concerned privately owned ones.
The vast majority of offenders were adults – 3,544 people – but 156 underage riders were also caught, including 20 aged between 12 and 15 and 136 older than 15. The most common violations were riding without a helmet and exceeding speed limits, with additional cases of scooters being used on high-speed roads and running red lights.
The accident figures are equally worrying. In the same eight-month period, Attica recorded 56 road accidents involving e-scooters, leaving three people seriously injured and 53 with minor injuries. The two recent incidents involving minors have reignited debate over enforcement, particularly regarding age limits.
Greek legislation has already been tightened. Use of e-scooters is prohibited for anyone under 17, insurance is now mandatory, and stricter penalties apply for riding on roads where the speed limit exceeds 50 km/h. Businesses that sell, rent or supply scooters to under-17s also face fines. Yet the situation on the streets suggests that enforcement remains a significant challenge.
Europe moves to rein in micromobility
The debate is not confined to Greece. The rapid spread of e-scooters as a form of micromobility has forced many European countries to seek a balance between promoting alternative transport, ensuring road safety and protecting pedestrians.
The most radical example is Paris. Since September 2023, the French capital has banned dockless rental e-scooters after a public vote in which 89% of participants backed their abolition. The three operators then active were ordered to remove their fleets. Restrictions tightened further in August 2026: helmets and reflective equipment are now compulsory for anyone riding an e-scooter on public roads, with a €135 fine for not wearing a helmet. The minimum age is 14 and the maximum speed is 25 km/h.
Madrid has followed a similar path. In 2024, the city council revoked the licences of its three rental operators and said it would not issue new ones, citing gaps in insurance cover and the failure to implement technology that would prevent scooters from being used or parked in prohibited areas.
Brussels has gone even further. The regional government decided on a complete ban on shared e-scooters from 1 January 2027, with existing licences expiring at the end of 2026 and not being renewed. The decision came after a sharp rise in accidents: in 2025, 666 injuries were recorded in incidents involving e-scooters in the Brussels Region, a 26% increase on the previous year. Authorities also pointed to the problems abandoned scooters cause for pedestrians and their use in criminal activities.
Helmets, insurance and age limits elsewhere
Italy has taken a different approach, tightening rules for both the vehicles and their riders. Italian law now requires helmets, a specific identification mark for each scooter and compulsory third-party liability insurance, with the insurance requirement coming into force in 2026.
In Finland, since June 2025, the minimum age for using most e-scooters is 15, and it is illegal to hand such a vehicle to a child under that age. An alcohol limit of 0.5% has been introduced, and police can now carry out breathalyser tests and checks for narcotic substances.
Hungary has extended compulsory insurance to certain categories of e-scooters, depending on their weight and maximum speed. In Germany, a new framework tightens the liability of rental companies such as Lime and Bolt in the event of an accident, making it easier to compensate victims even when the rider cannot be identified.
As European cities experiment with different regulatory models, the Greek experience highlights a common dilemma: how to embrace micromobility without compromising safety. The recent accidents in Attica and the high number of offences suggest that rules alone are not enough – consistent enforcement and public awareness are equally vital. For now, Athens is betting on a visible police presence and stricter checks to send a clear message to riders and businesses alike.
