The “Micromobility Policy Atlas” provides open data about the various regulations held by each European country.
It’s a map developed through collaboration between the Shared-Use Mobility Centre (SUMC), the New Urban Mobility alliance, and the WRI Ross Centre for Sustainable Cities.
It categorizes shared bicycles, electric bicycles and scooters policies, providing information about guidelines, permits and laws.
For example, it analyses parking and lane usage, fleet size limits, fees, geofencing guidelines, among other aspects.
The map is continuously updated to reflect different regulatory approaches and their constant evolution.
Next, Mobility Portal Europe makes a survey of the micromobility policies applied to operators in each European country.
Austria
In Vienna, bicycles must be parked on a path that’s over 2.5 metres wide and where cycling is permitted.
Scooters are not allowed on pedestrian paths and the pavement, but it’s permitted to park on the pavement as long as it’s wider than 2.5 metres.
They must also be equipped with brakes, front and rear red lights, and reflectors or other reflective elements.
Currently, the maximum fleet allowed per provider for both bicycles and scooters is 1,500 micromobility units.
Additionally, both types of vehicles must not exceed 25 km/h.
However, to counter the accumulation of units, in the future, a maximum of 500 vehicles per operator will be allowed in specific districts.
Belgium
In Brussels, regulations and restrictions are applied to bicycle operations, with a maximum speed of 25 km/h.
Units must have mudguards, front and rear lights, three speeds, and an adjustable seat.
They must also support a load of 100 kg and accommodate a person between 1.5 and 2.10 meters in height.
The fee structure requires a one-time payment of €25 per bicycle every three years.
Denmark
As established by the Ministry of Transport, Construction, and Housing, the permitted speed limit for scooters in Copenhagen is 20 km/h.
They must operate throughout the city, except in crowded areas, main shopping streets, and central stations.
Operators need to offer vehicles suitable for intensive use as intended.
Units must be identified with the commercial name or designation of the responsible scooter owner.
The maximum fleet allowed per provider is 3,200 vehicles.
However, the Technical and Environmental Committee of the Municipality of Copenhagen decided to limit the number of available units in certain locations.
Thus, only 200 scooters and 200 electric bicycles can be placed in the busiest areas.
In the rest of the city, in less frequented areas, up to 3,000 units of each vehicle type are allowed.
England
While London doesn’t specify a speed limit for bicycles, it emphasises slow speed in shared pedestrian areas.
Additionally, units must have front and rear lights.
France
According to the national traffic code, scooters in Lyon, Marseille and Paris cannot travel faster than 25 km/h.
Regarding the maximum allowed fleet, Lyon permits 4,000 scooters (2,000 per operator), and Marseille allows 6,000 units (2,000 per operator).
It’s worth mentioning that Marseille granted a one-year permit to three supplying companies out of 11 candidates.
Paris, on the other hand, differentiates policies for scooters and bicycles.
Scooters must be equipped with front and rear lights, a horn, and a reflector, with a maximum fleet of 15,000 units (5,000 per operator).
Vehicle fees amount to €50, paid annually.
A provider with a fleet of up to 499 scooters pays a fee of €20 for each, €50 for each unregistered electric personal transportation vehicle, and €60 for registered ones. For thermal two- or three-wheeled vehicles, the fee is €120.
As for bicycles, the maximum speed allowed is 30 km/h.
They need front and rear lights, a horn, and a reflector.
Fees depend on the number of units: €20 for up to 500 bicycles, €22 for 500 to 999, €24 for 1,000 to 2,999, and €26 for over 3,000.
Germany
In Cologne, scooters cannot exceed 20 km/h, and they’re not allowed on pavements and pedestrian paths.
In Dusseldorf, bicycles, both electric and non-motorised, must adhere to the above-mentioned regulations.
Units must be parked in designated parking areas.
As for fees, an annual fee of €20 per vehicle is required, and operators must pay €203,500 annually.
Ireland
According to the 1961 Traffic Act, the speed limit for bicycles in Dublin is 50 km/h.
Providers need to pay €200 annually for an operating license and an additional €50 permit fee per unit (also annually).
Italy
In Milan, scooters with a maximum power of 500 W are allowed to travel at a maximum speed of 20 km/h.
The maximum allowed fleet is between 500 and 2,000 per operator, who must pay an annual fee of €8 per vehicle.
As for cyclists, they cannot exceed 25 km/h and must meet extensive requirements.
Bicycles must be suitable for urban use, with a minimum height of 1.5 metres and a maximum weight of 24 kg.
They are required to have a lighting system, reflectors, a horn, pedals, mudguards, and symmetrical wheels with a minimum diameter of 24” to 27.5”.
The maximum allowed fleet is 16,000 bicycles, with a minimum of 1,000 units and a maximum of 4,000 per operator.
A fee of €8 per vehicle is required annually.
Portugal
In Coimbra, there’s no speed limit for scooters, which can operate throughout the city except in red zones, pedestrian paths, and bus stops.
Spain
In Barcelona, bicycles are not allowed to exceed 20 km/h. Even in pedestrian-exclusive zones, the maximum speed is 10 km/h.
The maximum allowed fleet is 3,975 units, with a maximum of 1,325 per provider.
Additionally, an annual fee of €72 per vehicle is established.
In Madrid, scooters must not exceed 30 km/h.
They are prohibited from operating at bus stops, cultural areas, and designated green spaces.
As for bicycles, their speed must not exceed 25 km/h.
Providers are allowed a maximum of 10,000 units for both modes of transportation.
In Seville, scooters can travel at a maximum speed of 25 km/h. However, when sharing lanes with bicycles and pedestrians, the speed limit is reduced to 10 km/h.
They must weigh less than 15 kg, have a maximum power of 250 W, and feature front and rear lights.
The maximum allowed fleet is 2,000 vehicles, and no municipal fees are charged during the first year.
In Zaragoza, scooters must adhere to a maximum speed limit of 25 km/h.
They cannot be older than three years and must be equipped with front and rear lights and an audible warning device.
The maximum allowed quantity is 1,700 units (850 per provider).
Sweden
In Stockholm, scooters can travel up to 20 km/h, except in pedestrian areas where the maximum speed is reduced to 6 km/h.
Switzerland
In Zurich, bicycles with pedal assistance must travel at a speed of 25 km/h, while those without assistance are limited to 20 km/h.
They must have a maximum width of 70 cm and a length of up to 200 cm.
The annual fee is 10 Swiss francs per unit.
