Police warn riders

The police said steps would be taken against drivers of battery operated scooters which are not in conformity with the law.

The police said the warning applies to parents whose minor children ride such scooters.

The machines, which cannot do more than 25 mph, are environment-friendly but have elicited complaints from pedestrians and drivers.

The Malta Transport Authority says it is illegal to ride them in a public place, saying they had not been issued with a road licence because of safety concerns - they were built for off-road use only.

However, wardens cannot fine users because there is no bylaw regulating their use.

The importation of the scooters or similar machines defined by Customs as toys has now been temporarily banned.

The police said it has been observed that a number of the scooters were being used on the road without being licensed by the Malta Transport Authority. Regulation 18 of legal notice 128 of 1994 laid down that "no motorised vehicle can be driven on the road without a licence issued by the Malta Transport Authority".

Also, section 15 of chapter 65 of the law governing traffic says that "anyone driving a motor car or other vehicle without a driving licence or an unlicensed vehicle would be committing an offence," the police said.