Insurance association calls for compulsory helmets on e-scooters

The Insurance Association Malta has welcomed plans to make helmets compulsory for e-scooter riders, while urging the government to address the wider concerns over infrastructure, pedestrian safety and enforcement.

The Association said that it had first proposed the use of compulsory helmets seven years ago, as part of its recommendations to the government’s 2019 public consultation on micromobility.

At the time, IAM had warned of the increased risk of injury to riders moving between roads and pedestrian areas, stating: “Since switching between footpaths/pavements and the road is permissible under this proposed set of regulations, the Association recommends that the use of helmets becomes mandatory considering the increased chances of injury.”

The Association was reacting to Sustainable Mobility Minister Chris Bonett's announcement following an accident in Żebbuġ last week that left a 15-year-old girl seriously injured.

IAM welcomed the minister's proposal, which followed a similar call by emergency doctor Jonathan Joslin, and expressed hope that the government would also revisit the other concerns it had raised.

These included the need for more dedicated cycle lanes and safer infrastructure, greater protection for pedestrians, and only allowing scooters on footpaths and pavements of a specified minimum width to reduce the risk of collision with pedestrians.  

 The Association had also questioned the proposed 10km/h speed limit on footpaths, recommending that this be reduced to 6km/h.

“While compulsory helmets are an important safety measure, they are only part of the solution. The wider concerns we raised at the time remain relevant and should be considered as part of the proposed changes,” the Association said.

The Association also stressed the importance of enforcing existing regulations, particularly those prohibiting e-scooters on designated arterial and distributor roads and requiring riders to be licensed and at least 16 years old.

“Public consultations are intended to identify potential problems before regulations are introduced, and it is important that the concerns raised by stakeholders are given due consideration.

“We hope the minister's initiative will lead to a wider review of e-scooter safety. Encouraging alternative forms of transport is important, but ensuring the safety of riders, pedestrians and other road users must always come first,” the Association said.The Insurance Association Malta has welcomed plans to make helmets compulsory for e-scooter riders, while urging the government to address the wider concerns over infrastructure, pedestrian safety and enforcement.

The Association said that it had first proposed the use of compulsory helmets seven years ago, as part of its recommendations to the government’s 2019 public consultation on micromobility.

At the time, IAM had warned of the increased risk of injury to riders moving between roads and pedestrian areas, stating: “Since switching between footpaths/pavements and the road is permissible under this proposed set of regulations, the Association recommends that the use of helmets becomes mandatory considering the increased chances of injury.”

The Association was reacting to Sustainable Mobility Minister Chris Bonett's announcement following an accident in Żebbuġ last week that left a 15-year-old girl seriously injured.

IAM welcomed the minister's proposal, which followed a similar call by emergency doctor Jonathan Joslin, and expressed hope that the government would also revisit the other concerns it had raised.

These included the need for more dedicated cycle lanes and safer infrastructure, greater protection for pedestrians, and only allowing scooters on footpaths and pavements of a specified minimum width to reduce the risk of collision with pedestrians.  

 The Association had also questioned the proposed 10km/h speed limit on footpaths, recommending that this be reduced to 6km/h.

“While compulsory helmets are an important safety measure, they are only part of the solution. The wider concerns we raised at the time remain relevant and should be considered as part of the proposed changes,” the Association said.

The Association also stressed the importance of enforcing existing regulations, particularly those prohibiting e-scooters on designated arterial and distributor roads and requiring riders to be licensed and at least 16 years old.

“Public consultations are intended to identify potential problems before regulations are introduced, and it is important that the concerns raised by stakeholders are given due consideration.

“We hope the minister's initiative will lead to a wider review of e-scooter safety. Encouraging alternative forms of transport is important, but ensuring the safety of riders, pedestrians and other road users must always come first,” the Association concluded.