Knesset panel approves expanding enforcement of electric scooter and bike rules

The Knesset’s Economic Affairs Committee on Monday approved expanding enforcement measures for two-wheeled electric vehicles, particularly motorized scooters and bicycles.

The move will allow city inspectors to penalize riders for additional offenses, with the aim of promoting road safety.

Such offenses include failure to wear a helmet, the use of electronic scooters and bicycles by teenagers under 16, riding without proper training (which is required of riders who don’t possess a regular driver’s license,) two people riding a scooter at the same time, and the use of cellphones and earphones while riding.

Municipal inspectors will also have the authority to enforce obedience of traffic signs by motorized scooters and bicycle users.

The idea of giving local inspectors more authority on this issue was spearheaded by Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli and Public Security Minister Omer Barlev.

Labor party leader Merav Michaeli attends a faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on June 13, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

“Expansion of the bill that we approved today is an important step meant to guarantee the safety of all people using the road and significantly reduce traffic accidents,” Michaeli said.

Barlev added: “Accidents involving two-wheeled electric vehicles have become an affliction that leads to casualties… We are committed to fighting those who allow themselves to break the law and endanger their surroundings without realizing that [these vehicles] could be deadly if not used properly.”

Illustrative: The scene where Israeli model Shlomit Malka was seriously injured after she fell off an electric scooter in Tel Aviv, August 13, 2017.(Flash90)

According to a report by the Gerner Institute at Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Center cited by the Ynet news site, 2021 saw 1,364 people hospitalized with injuries from electric scooters or bicycles.