How to get around Salou on an electric scooter

Salou. Costa Dorada. 28 September 2021. The Salou City Council has modified its traffic ordinance to regulate the circulation of personal mobility vehicles (VMP) through the municipality, and especially electric scooters and assisted pedal bicycles.

Thus, the new ordinance of Personal Mobility Vehicles stipulates that:

• Electric scooters will always circulate on the bike lane or Via 30
• no more than 1 person can ride on the same scooter
• you can not drive on the sidewalks
• Scooters cannot travel on roads of more than 50 km / h, on interurban roads, crossings, motorways or highways, or through urban tunnels.
• The maximum speed will be 25 km / h
• They must respect the signage and the direction of movement (one-way or two-way)
• Scooters should always give pedestrians priority
• The scooter driver must indicate stops and path changes
• They are not allowed to be towed by other vehicles
• They must maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from pedestrians and must also circulate 1.5 meters from the facades. In case that distance cannot be maintained, they should get off the scooter and walk beside it.
• The driver of the electric scooter must be at least 15 years old. Minors of this age can only use personal mobility vehicles appropriate to their age, height and weight, only in spaces closed to traffic and accompanied at all times by their father / mother or legal guardian.
• The use of an approved or certified protection case is mandatory
• At night, you must drive with the front and rear lights on, and wear an approved reflective element.
• The scooter must have a bell and a braking system that acts on the front and rear wheels.
• Electric scooters can use the existing bike parking spaces in Salou and with the same conditions as bicycles. The scooter cannot be tied to trees, streetlights, traffic lights, benches or other elements of urban furniture.
• The scooter cannot be used if alcohol or drugs have been consumed and it will be mandatory to undergo a test if the police require it.
• Nor can you drive a scooter using your mobile or headphones.
• Stunts or games of skill may not be practiced outside the designated areas.
• Electric scooters must have the certificate that guarantees compliance with the technical requirements required by national and international regulations at all times, as well as their identification.
• You cannot ride with scooters manipulated to alter speed or technical characteristics
• Finally, the new ordinance also contemplates the rules for the use of toys such as skateboards, skates and scooters without motor; as well as the rental activity and commercial use of personal mobility vehicles.

To facilitate the knowledge of the new ordinance, the Local Police of Salou has published an informative brochure that includes these norms. In addition, there will also be training and information will be offered in the schools of Salou.

This ordinance is agreed with the councils of Cambrils and Vila-seca, which have worked together with that of Salou to unify criteria, so that the users of these vehicles can have as a reference the same standards in the three municipalities that they form an integrated urban conurbation.

The mayor of Salou, Pere Granados, has highlighted "the importance of the safety of people when moving with electric scooters and assisted bicycles" and has valued that they are "sustainable and environmentally friendly vehicles, since they are electrical and do not pollute ".

For his part, the Councilor for Citizen Security and Mobility, David González, recalled that "the main objective of this regulation is that the people who use it respect the mandatory safety measures, to avoid accidents and so that they can live with the rest of people circulating on public roads ". He has also explained that "it is not only necessary to adapt the regulations, but also the urban spaces, as we gather in the Sustainable and Safe Urban Mobility Plan of Salou".

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