Manilva Town Hall has begun the process of drawing up a new Municipal Ordinance to regulate the use of Personal Mobility Vehicles (VMP), such as electric scooters, through a preliminary public consultation published last Friday on its electronic office.
The initiative, signed by mayor Mario Jiménez Rodríguez, responds to the need to update local regulations that have become obsolete. The current Traffic and Circulation Ordinance dates from 2011, when this type of vehicle was not yet part of everyday life in the municipality.
Current problems without specific regulation
According to the document, the lack of specific municipal regulations is causing a number of problems for urban coexistence. Among them are road safety risks, particularly in pedestrian areas, where dangerous situations have increased because scooters are being ridden without clear rules.
The document also points to the disorderly occupation of public space, with scooters parked on pavements making it difficult for people with reduced mobility or prams to get past. Added to this is the growing number of conflicts in busy areas such as the Sabinillas promenade or the area around the Castillo de la Duquesa.
What the law currently says in Spain
At national level, VMPs are regulated mainly by Royal Decree 970/2020, in force since 2021, which sets out a basic framework for the whole country.
The most relevant rules include:
- VMPs are single-seat vehicles powered exclusively by an electric motor, with a maximum speed of between 6 and 25 km/h
- It is forbidden to ride on pavements, pedestrian areas, motorways, dual carriageways or interurban roads
- The maximum permitted speed is 25 km/h
- Riders must obey traffic rules like any other vehicle (for example, no use of mobile phones or headphones)
- The specific roads on which they may be ridden depend on municipal ordinances
In addition, national regulations have recently been evolving:
- Since 2024, new scooters must have compulsory technical certification
- From 2027, only certified vehicles will be allowed on the road
- A national register and an identification system are being introduced for these vehicles
This framework leaves key aspects such as parking, areas of circulation and minimum age in the hands of town halls, which explains the need for specific regulation in each municipality.
Regulations adapted to local reality
The Town Hall considers the approval of this ordinance «urgent» because of the increased use of these vehicles, encouraged by the municipality’s geographical spread and the proliferation of residential developments.
The aim is to adapt national regulations to the urban reality of Manilva, providing greater legal certainty for both users and the Local Police.
What the future ordinance will regulate
The draft proposes comprehensive regulation that will include aspects such as:
- Speed limits and permitted areas of circulation
- Parking rules
- Minimum age for use
- Conditions for VMP rental companies
- Penalty system with offences and fines
It also seeks to guarantee road safety and make it easier for residents and businesses to learn about the rules.
Public participation open for 30 days
The Town Hall has opened a period of 30 calendar days for citizens, associations and organisations to submit their contributions and opinions.
Proposals may be submitted through the municipal electronic office or in person at the Manilva Town Hall registry and at the Sabinillas Mayor’s Office (Tenencia de Alcaldía).
With this consultation, the Town Hall takes the first step towards regulating a phenomenon that is increasingly present on the streets of the municipality, where national legislation sets out general foundations but leaves the specific regulation affecting the daily lives of residents and visitors in the hands of municipalities.
Estándose a la ley que lo regula es suficiente.