Electric Scooter Regulation Announced

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure took the first step in setting standards for micro-mobility systems such as electric bicycles and electric scooters. In the Micro Mobility Focus Group Meeting, which was convened under the chairmanship of Minister Adil Karaismailoğlu and held with the participation of stakeholders in the sector, the first draft for the standards planned to be included in the regulations regarding the sector was determined. According to e-scooters in the operating permits from companies who want to document, to have conditions such as mobile applications and servers to be searched is currently in Turkey.

Minister Karaismailoğlu pointed out that more than 83 percent of the country's population, which exceeds 92 million, lives in city and district centers, and said that micro-mobility vehicles will have an important place in urban transportation with their environmentalist side. Karaismailoğlu said, “However, we are faced with the problem of lack of licenses for vehicles and companies as well as security measures. Public-private partnerships are important to overcome the obstacles to the use of these tools. For this reason, we set our standards in the sector and ensure that our citizens receive both the safety and the best standards of service ”.

Adil Karaismailoğlu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure; The second Micro Mobility Focus Group Meeting on bicycles and electric scooters, previously held online, was held under the chairmanship of Minister Karaismailoğlu with the participation of sector representatives. At the meeting, while the future of modern micro transport systems that add movement and freedom to city life with national and international titles were discussed in depth, the first determinations were made regarding the current situation of the sector as well as the standards to be met.

At the meeting, it was pointed out that the number of shared 4.6 million e-scooters worldwide is expected to increase 2024 times by 6, while it was pointed out that 1,7 billion tons of carbon emissions in the world are expected to be reduced by micro-mobility vehicles.

Concrete Steps for Environmental and Life Facilitating Projects

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Karaismailoğlu said that while information and communication technologies are developing at a dizzying pace, new needs and expectations and different tendencies have emerged. Underlining that especially efficient, safe, effective, innovative, dynamic, environmentally friendly and value-added smart transportation systems have come to the fore recently, Karaismailoğlu said, “We are also implementing important projects to rapidly complete our integration into this period”. Along with this increase; Karaismailoğlu said that they brought problems such as transportation and traffic, and emphasized that as the Ministry, they took concrete steps to solve these problems with contemporary, environmentally friendly projects and approaches that make life easier.

35 Thousand E-Scooter Used in Turkey

Ministers Karaismailoğlu that more than 83 percent of the 92 million exceeding the population of the city and live in the district centers in noting, "Currently 35 thousand e-scooters in Turkey use by citizens over 3 million. However, especially during the epidemic period, the demand for alternative transportation vehicles and their presence in traffic increased rapidly. We have accelerated our efforts in order to create an innovative mobility system in line with today's conditions and expectations ”. Karaismailoğlu noted that micro-mobility vehicles are environmentally friendly systems in terms of carbon emissions as well as being noiseless, and at this point, they have taken steps to make arrangements in order to spread micro-mobility vehicles and ensure certain standards and safe travel.

Minister Karaismailoğlu said, “As a result of all our efforts, we determined our vision as efficient use of our road capacity and energy in all our transportation lines, reducing travel times and damage to the environment, and increasing traffic safety along with ensuring mobility. In this direction, we are conducting studies to regulate the effects of vehicles on urban road safety, infrastructure-related needs and conditions of use. In addition, we want to create an effective, efficient and solution-oriented micro-mobility system to ensure competition among operators and to encourage innovations. "We care about the coordination between ministries, local administrations, real sector and non-governmental organizations in order to pave the way for entrepreneurs and support necessary studies."

First Determinations Made in the Shared E-Scooter Management Regulation

Karaismailoğlu said that many arrangements will be made in many issues such as determining the age limit of users, imposing obligations on usage and safety accessories, determining speed limits and routes within the city. Minister Karaismailoğlu said, “We are faced with the problem of lack of licenses for vehicles and companies as well as security measures. Public-private partnerships are important to overcome barriers to the use of these tools. For this reason, we will set our standards in the sector, and we will ensure that our citizens receive both the safety and the best standards of service ”. Karaismailoğlu stated that after the meetings, the first determinations were made regarding the "Shared E-Scooter Management Regulation".

The regulation stipulates not to be used on intercity roads and highways with a maximum speed limit above 50 km / h. More than one person will not be able to use the e-scooter at the same time. No items, other than personal belongings, can be carried on the e-scooter. It will be used in a way that does not endanger pedestrians and disadvantaged groups (disabled / elderly). In addition, usage planning will be made in every city to be integrated with public transportation vehicles. The use of protective equipment such as helmets, knee pads, reflectors and jackets will be encouraged.

Locality Will Be Encouraged

In the regulation to be issued by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, localization will also be encouraged. According to the draft, the use of domestic software and hardware will be encouraged and facilities using domestic products will be provided. Piling up of E-Scooters in certain areas will be prevented. Users will be supported via call center / mobile applications. It will be used in a way that does not disturb public order and does not create visual pollution. Domestic and national production will also be supported.