Madrid bans electric rental scooters over safety concerns

We are revoking the permits of three companies operating electric scooters that will disappear from the streets of Madrid starting in October," announced the Spanish capital's authorities, justifying the decision with the safety of its residents.

"Our priority is the physical integrity and safety of Madrid's residents," the mayor of Madrid, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, wrote on Thursday on the X portal.

Three companies operating 6,000 vehicles in the Spanish capital, Lime, Dott, and Tier Mobility, will have to remove them from the capital's streets starting in October.

According to Almeida, the companies did not meet safety conditions concerning pedestrians, especially older people, did not provide services for the entire city, and lacked insurance. "Technological improvements to ensure that the vehicles do not ride on sidewalks or park in inappropriate places were not introduced," added the mayor.

At the same time, Almeida declared that private electric scooters can still move freely around the city.

"Madrid follows in the footsteps of other European capitals, such as Paris," commented the "ABC" newspaper on Madrid's city hall decision. Following last year's referendum in Paris, about 15,000 scooters disappeared from the French capital.