Electric micromobility in Italy is finally regulated: the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is incorporating scooters, Segways, hoverboards and monowheels into the Highway Code. A trial period that will last approximately two years.
Scooters and Segways can now also circulate in Italian cities according to precise rules. The trial of electric micromobility vehicles has in fact begun, including hoverboards and monowheels, in accordance with the specifications for the vehicles and areas established by the decree of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
Previously, although these vehicles were already circulating in cities, no established Highway Code rules existed for them, a situation that made their use as a means of transport irregular.
From August, the trial of electric micromobility in Italy will get under way, lasting a minimum of one year and a maximum of two. Municipalities that give the go-ahead through a formal resolution will allow electric scooters, hoverboards, Segways and monowheels to circulate on pedestrian areas, cycle and pedestrian paths, dedicated cycle lanes, zone 30 areas and all roads where the speed limit does not exceed thirty kilometres per hour.
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These new means of transport are not, however, considered identical, so care must be taken as to where they can be ridden and under what conditions.
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The ministerial decree establishes that monowheels and hoverboards may only circulate in pedestrian areas and at speeds below six kilometres per hour, while Segways and scooters are also permitted to travel on pedestrian and cycle paths, dedicated cycle lanes, as well as in zone 30 areas and on roads with a thirty-kilometre-per-hour speed limit, provided they do not exceed twenty kilometres per hour. Speed limits are strictly enforced through the configurable speed regulators fitted to these vehicles. The areas where electric micromobility vehicles will be permitted to travel (and specifying which ones, where applicable) will have to be equipped with the prescribed experimental road signs. It is therefore essential to check the signs to know whether one is authorised to pass through with one's vehicle.
All electric micromobility vehicles must be fitted with white lights at the front and red lights or red reflectors at the rear, so that they can also be used after sunset and in conditions of poor visibility. The wearing of a high-visibility retroreflective jacket or braces is also compulsory, and this applies to electric scooters and Segways circulating in zone 30 areas and on roads with a thirty-kilometre-per-hour speed limit as well. Segways will also be required to have an acoustic warning device. To ride these vehicles in the designated areas, one must be of legal age or, if a minor, hold a category AM licence.
The trials, which must last at least twelve months, will serve to produce a report on the effects of electric micromobility in the cities concerned, which will subsequently be submitted to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
