Electric bicycles and scooters may soon have new traffic rules.

Some parties have submitted proposals to the Assembly of the Republic to enhance safety in the use of electric micromobility vehicles.

Nothing is official yet, but the topic has already been discussed in the Assembly of the Republic. Yesterday, September 30, the proposals from the PSD (Social Democratic Party) and PS (Socialist Party) to strengthen safety rules for electric micromobility were approved.

It should be noted that previously, Article 82 of the Road Code required drivers and passengers of motorized bicycles, as well as drivers of motorized scooters and other electric-powered mobility devices, to wear properly fitted and secured helmets. This regulation was later repealed by Decree-Law No. 102-B/2020 of December 9, which came into effect in January 2021.

Now, five years later, helmets may once again become mandatory for users of electric micromobility solutions. The PSD and PS support this requirement, though they propose different solutions regarding the vehicles covered and the conditions under which it would apply.

PSD wants helmets and reflective elements

The PSD’s proposal introduces the most changes to current rules. Bill No. 622/XVII/1.ª mandates helmets for drivers and passengers of motorized bicycles, as well as for drivers of electric e-scooters and other electric micromobility devices classified as bicycles.

But it doesn’t stop at helmets. The party also wants to force these users to wear reflective clothing or retroreflective equipment during nighttime and whenever weather or environmental conditions reduce visibility. The proposal further allows for the use of reflective elements integrated into clothing, helmets, or other equipment. For those who violate these new rules, the PSD proposes fines ranging from 30 to 150 euros.

The bill was approved by the PSD, CH, PS, IL, PCP, CDS-PP, BE, and JPP. PAN opposed it. Livre abstained.

The distinction between electric bicycles

The PS also wants to restore the mandatory use of helmets, but proposes a different approach for electric bicycles. According to Bill No. 774/XVII/2.ª, drivers and passengers of motorized bicycles that exceed the technical limits set out in the CE (Article 112, No. 2), particularly in terms of power, speed, or assistance function, would be required to wear helmets.

This requirement would also apply to drivers of electric scooters and other motorized devices classified as bicycles. Thus, electric bicycles that currently meet the criteria to be classified as bicycles would continue to have no general mandatory requirement to wear helmets. For the PS, the suggested fine for non-compliance ranges from 30 to 150 euros.

This legislative proposal was approved with votes in favor from the PSD, PS, IL, L, PCP, CDS-PP, BE, and JPP. CH and PAN voted against it.

The party also submitted a resolution draft—also approved—with additional measures. These include strengthening oversight of bicycle and e-scooter traffic on sidewalks, establishing rules to electronically limit the speed of e-scooters, and a pilot program to facilitate access to helmets at shared micromobility services. Here, IL voted against it, while PSD, CH, and CDS-PP abstained.

PAN also made some suggestions—later rejected—that did not require mandatory helmets. Resolution Draft No. 1273/XVII/2.ª recommended that the government make it easier to obtain these helmets and advocated for awareness campaigns promoting their use.

For now, nothing changes

All proposals from the PS and PSD were approved, but they still do not have practical effects. The remaining legislative process now follows, which includes final drafting and sending the laws to the President of the Republic for promulgation. Thus, the rules currently in force remain unchanged.