The Department of Security and Emergencies is working on a new municipal ordinance to regulate these personal mobility vehicles
The Department of Security and Emergencies of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council, under the direction of Councilor José Carlos Álamo Ojeda, has reinforced in recent weeks the surveillance operations on personal mobility vehicles (PMVs), especially electric scooters, due to the increase in incidents and accidents caused by improper use.
The increase in the use of these means of transport in the municipality has been accompanied by a rise in dangerous behaviors, such as riding on sidewalks, driving under the influence of narcotics or lacking mandatory insurance, situations that pose a serious problem for road safety both for the users themselves and for pedestrians and other drivers.
In response to this situation, the City Council has been working for months on new, specific municipal regulations to govern the use of personal mobility vehicles in the municipality. However, the process slowed down following the announcement by the Directorate General of Traffic regarding significant regulatory changes planned for 2026, aimed at adapting the future local ordinance to the new national legal framework.
Currently, the ordinance is pending completion of its legal processing; however, the Security and Emergency Department has opted to intensify police work based on current legislation, which already includes new obligations such as mandatory third-party liability insurance.
Specific police devices
In this context, the Local Police of San Bartolomé de Tirajana have launched several specific operations to control traffic directed at personal mobility vehicles, the results of which highlight the magnitude of the problem.
During the past week, various interventions were carried out by the GOA and the Traffic and Accident Investigation Unit, resulting in:
- 12 scooters reported and taken to the municipal depot for not having mandatory insurance.
- Two drivers penalized after testing positive in drug tests.
- 3 users reported for carrying illegal substances.
These actions are in addition to the results obtained during two checks carried out this week on Avenida Alejandro del Castillo and Avenida de Tejeda, where numerous infractions were detected:
- 28 scooters reported and taken to the depot for lacking the corresponding insurance.
- 2 motorcycles impounded: one without MOT or insurance and another driving without a valid policy.
- 30 transfers carried out by the municipal crane service (28 scooters and 2 motorcycles).
- 5 vehicles penalized for driving with an expired MOT.
- 2 scooters reported for riding on sidewalks.
Commitment to safe traffic
The councilor responsible for the area, José Carlos Álamo Ojeda, pointed out that “the use of electric scooters has experienced a remarkable growth in recent years; however, this progress must always be accompanied by responsibility and strict compliance with traffic regulations.”
Álamo stressed that "the main purpose behind these controls is to ensure the protection of all citizens —especially pedestrians— who are more vulnerable to possible accidents resulting from the misuse of these vehicles."
Along those lines, the councilor stressed that the upcoming municipal ordinance will provide the municipality with a clearer regulatory framework, better suited to current needs, thus reinforcing road safety and establishing precise rules on how these alternative means of transport should be used.
“We will continue working to properly organize the use of electric scooters and promote better coexistence on our streets through effective regulation, information campaigns and enforcement,” he concluded.
