The Riigikogu will soon begin considering two draft bills. These bills regulate the use of light vehicles.
The first draft bill comes from Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, a member of the Center Party. Its goal is to reduce accidents involving light vehicles and mopeds.
The second draft bill will be sent for coordination by the Ministry of Climate in the coming weeks.
Currently, many important issues are not regulated, such as age restrictions and driver's license checks.
Kovalenko-Kõlvart says that local governments will have the right to set limits on the number of rentable light vehicles and bicycles.
Local governments have said that they find it difficult to regulate these issues.
One of the main wishes is to regulate the number of rentable light vehicles on the streets.
Currently, service providers can place light vehicles anywhere. For example, there are too many Bolt scooters in the city.
The new draft bills require companies to ensure that people under the age limit cannot use rental devices.
Additionally, minors' driving licenses must be checked when renting mopeds.
Kovalenko-Kõlvart says that Bolt's app checks for a driver's license and the user's face. A similar system could be used for mopeds.
Kovalenko-Kõlvart also wants to establish a requirement that service providers lend helmets to users up to the age of 16.
Such a requirement already exists in Lithuania. In Estonia, helmets could be placed at scooter parking spots.
Kovalenko-Kõlvart hopes that the new draft bills will come into effect from July 1st. However, companies need time to implement the new requirements.
The chairman of the Riigikogu's Economic Affairs Committee, Marek Reinaas, said that he has not yet seen Kovalenko-Kõlvart's draft bills.
In 2024, the Traffic Act was amended, but changes related to light vehicles did not pass.
The Ministry of Climate will publish its draft bill for coordination in the coming weeks.
ERR reported in December that the Ministry of Climate is considering age limits for light vehicle users and tightening rules for minors.