Electric mopeds face licence and insurance rules from October

Electric mopeds will require registration, liability insurance, a licence and helmets from 1 October, ORF reports. Police say they will carry out checks when the new rules take effect.

Under amendments to the Road Traffic Act and Motor Vehicles Act, electric mopeds will no longer be treated as bicycles under certain conditions. They will instead be classified as motor vehicles.

Riders will need at least an AM-class licence, known as a moped licence, and must be at least 15 years old. The vehicles must display a licence plate with green lettering and be covered by third-party liability insurance.

The permitted blood alcohol limit will also fall from 0.8 to 0.5 parts per thousand. From October, electric mopeds may not be ridden on pavements, pedestrian paths, cycle paths or pedestrian crossings.

The number of electric mopeds has risen significantly in recent years, particularly in urban areas, where their use has led to conflicts when riders travel on areas not intended for them.

Tyrol’s mobility and climate protection minister, Rene Zumtobel of the Social Democratic Party, said the replacement of fuel-powered mopeds with electric models was welcome. Clear rules were now needed to prevent accidents and avoid conflicts, he said.

Implementation of the changes will be accompanied by the road safety campaign “Together and Fair in Traffic”, which aims to promote greater consideration between road users.