Linz police issue 81 reports in new e-moped checks

Police issued 81 reports during their first checks under Austria’s new e-moped rules in Linz on Thursday, ORF reported. Officers stopped 10 vehicles that were not registered, and eight riders were found without a valid driving licence.

The checks in central Linz also uncovered offences including missing number plates and insurance. Police issued six on-the-spot fines for helmet violations and filed four further reports after riders refused those fines. Ten people were barred from continuing their journeys.

Since 1 October, seated e-mopeds in vehicle class L1e-B with a maximum speed of 25 km/h have been classified as mopeds rather than bicycles. They must be registered, carry a number plate and insurance, and have a valid inspection sticker. Riders must hold a driving licence and wear a helmet.

The change means many food-delivery workers will have to switch to a bicycle or e-bike, ORF reported. It was prompted by safety concerns over the vehicles’ weight and complaints about their handling in city traffic.

The rules do not apply to standing e-scooters, whose existing requirements remain unchanged. Faster e-mopeds, with a design speed of up to 45 km/h, were already subject to registration and driving-licence requirements.