Move Follows National Rail Change
Barcelona City Council will ask the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM) to reconsider its indefinite ban on electric scooters on public transport. This decision follows a recent announcement by Renfe, which will now allow e-scooters on most of its services, excluding Rodalies and Cercanías Euskadi, where local authorities retain control.
The ATM’s ban has been in place since February 2023, introduced after several incidents involving e-scooters catching fire on FGC trains. The measure was extended indefinitely in October 2023 over ongoing safety concerns, particularly regarding lithium battery fires.
Safety Rules Now in Place
Despite the ban, regulations now require all electric scooters to be approved, registered, and covered by compulsory insurance. Investigations into past fires found that devices had been tampered with to increase speed, pushing their electronics beyond safe limits and leading to battery failures.
There is no scientific evidence that approved electric scooters have caused any fires.
These words were delivered by Pau Gonzàlez, BComú councillor, during a session of the Urban Planning and Mobility Commission this Tuesday. He argued that the updated regulatory framework justifies a reassessment of the current restrictions.
ATM president Isidre Bonet acknowledged the changed context, calling it 'reasonable to analyze' but stressed that passenger and worker safety remains the authority’s top priority.
Nonetheless, Bonet confirmed he would support the city’s request to bring the issue to the ATM for formal discussion, meaning the possibility of lifting the ban could soon be on the agenda.
Reported by lavanguardia.com, Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM) of Barcelona, Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM), La Vanguardia Catalonia.
