Published in the Official Gazette of the Republic on 25November, 2022, Notification of the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works to determine the maximum licensing fee per Personal Mobility Device for the licensing of Personal Mobility Device (scooter) rental and circulation businesses, pursuant to the Regulation of the Circulation of Bicycles and Other Personal Mobility Devices (Amendment) Act (No. 2022-2022).2) Law of 2022 (Law 136(I)/2022).
It is recalled that, pursuant to Law No. 136(I)/2022, in order to operate businesses for the rental and circulation of Personal Mobility Devices within the boundaries of municipalities or communities, such businesses must obtain, on an annual basis, a permit for the operation and circulation of their devices from the relevant municipalities and/or communities, upon submission of an application.
The Notification sets the maximum licensing fee per Personal Mobility Device at thirty (30) euros, with a minimum total fee of one hundred (100) euros. In the event that the provision of expert services is required in the context of licensing by a Municipality or Community, the licensed Personal Mobility Device rental and circulation business will pay the actual cost of these services, irrespective of the prescribed fee.
The Notification has been issued after consultation with the Union of Cyprus Municipalities and the Union of Cyprus Communities.
Based on the provisions of Law No. 136(I)/2022 and in the context of the mentioned licenses for the operation of Personal Mobility Device rental and circulation businesses, the following fees will be charged.
The Notification has been issued after consultation with the Union of Cyprus Municipalities and the Union of Cyprus Communities.
Based on the provisions of Law No. 136(I)/2022 and in the context of the mentioned licenses for the operation of Personal Mobility Device rental and circulation businesses, the following fees will be charged. For the identification of licensed Personal Mobility Devices, the licensing authority will affix a sticker with a unique identification number per Device.
The Law provides for procedures for the revocation of the license by the licensing authority after a specific procedure. It should be noted that violation of the provisions of the new legislation constitutes an offence and in case of conviction the offenders will be subject to penalties, while for some offences an out-of-court settlement is foreseen.
Personal Mobility Device rental and circulation companies, in order to operate legally in the Republic of Cyprus and to continue to provide the relevant services, will have to obtain the relevant licence before the expiry of twelve (12) months from the date of entry into force of Law No. 136(I)/2022, which was on 28 July 2022.
On this occasion, we recall below, the basic legal regulations of the use of Personal Mobility Devices (e-scooters). In a square or pedestrian street, only after a decision of the relevant Municipality or Community.
- Age of Users: fourteen (14) years and over. In case the Personal Mobility Device, by design, allows the movement of a passenger, the passenger must be twelve (12) years of age or older.
- User's personal protective equipment: mandatory use of a helmet and mandatory use of clothing with appropriate fluorescent insignia.
- Minimum device equipment: Brake system, front & rear lights, bell, tyres.
- Maximum device speed: By design, the device develops a maximum speed of twenty (20) kilometres per hour (km/h). When users of Personal Mobility Devices are moving through squares or pedestrian walkways, they shall not exceed a speed of ten (10) Kilometers per Hour (km/h).
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works encourages Personal Mobility Device rental and circulation companies to apply as soon as possible to the Municipalities and/or Communities wishing to obtain the relevant permit.
(ΘΓ/ΝΓ/EΧΡ)
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