The City of Athens has approved sweeping new regulations for electric scooters this week, banning them from sidewalks and key pedestrian zones in a bid to restore order to the capital’s congested streets.
Mayor Haris Doukas said the rules are designed to curb illegal parking and dangerous riding while protecting accessibility.
"We are freeing public space and putting an end to the chaos caused by scooters," Mr. Doukas said. "The new regulation bans riding on sidewalks, around the Acropolis, and on Ermou and Aiolou."
The ordinance establishes 1,574 dedicated parking spots across 124 zones to eliminate sidewalk clutter.
It sets a strict speed limit of 6 kph (3.7 mph) in high-traffic areas like Psyrri and the Kerameikos pedestrian zone. Riding is now strictly prohibited on sidewalks, where users must dismount and walk.
Deputy Mayor for Urban Revitalization Maro Evaggelidou said the framework creates a safer environment for micro-mobility, while Deputy Mayor for Municipal Police Thomas Georgiadis confirmed that enforcement will be intensive.
"We can now intervene wherever necessary," Mr. Georgiadis said, noting that police will use digital tools to monitor rental fleets in real time.
Under the new rules, e-scooters are also barred from streets with speed limits exceeding 50 kph.
Private users must ensure parked scooters leave at least 1.5 meters of clearance for pedestrians and stay clear of ramps and building entrances.