(Ljubljana, 14 October 2019) Acting Director of the Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency Ms Vesna Marinko, attended an international conference, organized by the European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc and DG MOVE titled “Micro-mobility: the next big thing?”. The conference focused on the new transport developments of micro-mobility such as electric scooters, bikes, mopeds and drones. Together with representatives of city authorities and micro-mobility companies the conference aimed to be the first large-scale event to provide a platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities micro-mobility presents for people moving in urban areas and also for deliveries. Participants discussed the current situation and how to plan for the future.

Commissioner Bulc emphasized the micro-mobility brings challenges in three key areas: investments, inclusion in public transport and safety: “Micro-mobility is here to stay and will reshape the future of mobility. It will also contribute to the manifestation of the Vision Zero.”

Acting Director of the Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency Ms Vesna Marinko actively participated within the first panel titled: Is there a role investors and regulators can play in micro-mobility, moderated by Ms Violeta Bulc. Ms Andreja Kodrin, Director, CEO Third Millennium Knowledge and Quintaum and Mr Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General UITP were also the panellists. The debate addressed the opportunities micro-mobility offers to users and efficient urban mobility. It investigated from a regulatory as well as an entrepreneurial side what should/could be done to promote micro-mobility.

Acting Director Marinko highlighted the risks E-scooters present for vulnearble road users: “E-scooters are fast and almost inaudible, regulation of their use is essential. Their wheels are very small and sensitive. We also highlight the shared space perspective. Safety aspects should not be overlooked when regulating their use. Micro-mobility also opens other questions, like drink driving and environmental issues as people tend to discard E-scooters anywhere, even in the rivers. Many cities already face this as the real threat to environment.” Vesna Marinko also spoke on the novelties in German traffic law. The e-scooter is considered to be a motorized means of transport in Germany and therefore the same rules for alcohol and illicit drug use as for driving a car applies. During the Oktoberfest in Munich alone, police caught 414 people who were driving under the influence of alcohol. Among them, 254 had their driving license revoked. The number of licenses withdrawn because of the drink-driving e-scooters represents six per cent of the roughly four thousand driving licenses withdrawn annually in Munich. The license can be lost for a period of half a year to five years and three penalty points are earned, Marinko explained.