The Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM), the body coordinating public transport in the Barcelona area, discussed whether electric scooters could again be carried on the network on Tuesday 22 September. No decision to end the prohibition was approved.
For commuters who combine a scooter with a Metro, bus, tram or Rodalies train journey, the immediate position is unchanged: electric scooters remain prohibited on those services. The restriction has been in place since February 2023 because of concerns about fires involving lithium batteries.
“The debate on regulation has been reopened to promote intermodality between transport modes,” Catalan government spokesperson Sílvia Paneque said, according to betevé's report on Tuesday's meeting.
The ban remains in force
The ATM introduced the measure as a temporary six-month restriction in February 2023 while it assessed the risks of taking personal mobility vehicles onto public transport. It was subsequently extended indefinitely.
The ban covers electric scooters rather than bicycles or other permitted items. The ATM's current notice on the indefinite prohibition remains the official reference for passengers until the authority announces a regulatory change.
No date set for a rule change
Tuesday's discussion involved the ATM, whose participating administrations include the Spanish government, the Generalitat, Catalonia's regional government, and the Ajuntament de Barcelona, the city council. The meeting did not approve the return of scooters to Metro, bus or tram services.
Passengers planning journeys with an electric scooter should continue to leave it outside the public transport network and check ATM notices before travelling.
Primary sources: barcelona.cat. Reported by beteve.cat, Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM), betevé.
