The Greek government is planning significant changes to the country’s road traffic code ahead of the summer tourist season, including tougher safety requirements for rented motorcycles, quad bikes and electric scooters.
Deputy Transport Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis told state broadcaster ERT that rental companies would no longer be permitted to provide motorcycles, scooters or quad bikes without helmets, placing responsibility for compliance on operators.
Under the proposed legislation, drivers would also need to have held a licence for at least five years before renting a quad bike, a measure designed to reduce accidents involving inexperienced riders.
The reforms would further ban the use of electric scooters by minors across Greece.
Kyranakis said scooter rental operators would be required to designate parking areas and remove improperly parked vehicles from streets and footpaths on a daily basis.
The proposed framework would also require rental scooter companies to carry liability insurance, ensuring compensation is available in the event of accidents involving hired e-scooters.
The changes form part of a broader road safety push as Greece prepares for an influx of visitors during the peak summer tourism period.
Source: Ekathimerini.
