Turkey to Step in to Regulate Micro-Mobility Vehicles

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Turkey (“the Ministry”), took the first step in setting standards for micro-mobility vehicles such as electric bicycles and electric scooters. The future of modern micro-transportation systems has been discussed during the meeting Micro Mobility Focus Group Meeting (“the Meeting”) recently  which was concluded with the publishing of the first draft of the rules setting the standards in micro-mobility in Turkey.

In the Meeting, it was pointed out that the number of shared 4,6 million e-scooters worldwide is expected to increase 6 times by 2024, and it is predicted to reduce 1,7 billion tons of carbon emissions annually in the world with use of micro-mobility vehicles. It has been reported thirty-five thousand e-scooters in Turkey used by 3 million people. Especially during the Covid-19 outbreak, the demand for alternative transportation vehicles and their use in traffic were increased rapidly.

What Does the Draft Regulation on Shared E-Scooter Management Bring?

The officers of the Ministry addressed safety and licensing issues need to be regulated together with the following as set out in draft Shared E-Scooter Management Regulation (“the Draft Regulation”).

·         Determining the age limit of e-scooter users,

·         Imposing obligations on the use of safety accessories,

·         Determining speed limits,

·         Determining the routes and roads within the city.

By virtue of the Draft Regulation, e-scooters will not be used on intercity roads and highways with a maximum speed limit above 50km/h. More than one person will not be allowed to be on the e-scooter at the same time. Moreover, the Draft Regulation stipulates that no items, other than personal belongings can be carried on e-scooters. E-scooters will be used in a way that does not endanger the lives of disadvantaged groups (e.g. disabled and elderly people).  The Draft Regulation also stipulates that use of e-scooters will be planned in a way that will be integrated with public transportation vehicles in every city. The use of protective equipment such as helmets, knee pads, reflectors and jackets will be encouraged to the users of e-scooters.

On the other hand, the Draft Regulation stipulates certain provisions for the sake of localization. Accordingly, use of local software and hardware will be encouraged to the companies intending to operate in e-scooter industry. Companies intending to obtain certificate of activity regarding e-scooter services will be obliged to use local servers.

Şafak Herdem & Ezgi Ceren Aydoğmuş