MXThe article discusses growing concerns in the European Union (EU) over the increasing prevalence of personal mobility devices such as e-scooters, electric skateboards, fat bikes, and other motorized vehicles, which pose safety risks on roads. While overall road safety has improved in the EU, with a 22% decrease in fatalities involving two-wheeled motorized vehicles between 2011 and 2024, experts warn that the rise of these new types of vehicles could threaten this progress. The Council of European Transport Safety (ETSC) attributes part of the decline in deaths to stricter licensing requirements introduced in 2013, including age-based restrictions and mandatory training for younger drivers. The article highlights examples like the Netherlands, where obtaining a license for moped driving involves theoretical and practical exams, costing around €350–€600. It also notes that while helmet use is mandated across the EU and compliance is high, national governments have implemented additional preventive measures focusing on equipment standards.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced overview of the issue, citing data from the EU and the ETSC, and does not overtly favor any particular political stance. It reports on both the challenges posed by new mobility devices and the existing safety measures in place, without taking a clear ideological side.
