Scooter importers seek legal advice as sales drop

Importers of motorised scooters and e-bicycles have teamed up to seek legal advice after they claimed the authorities had acted unjustly against motorised micro-scooters.

One importer accused the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) of creating so much confusion about the matter that wardens and police were now even turning against electronic bicycles in the streets.

Sales of scooters and e-bicycles, (small motorbikes capable of doubling up as bicycles) have plummeted after the ADT last week said it was unlawful to drive motorised micro-scooters in any public road and that they would not be issued with a road license because of safety concerns. A number of owners have even demanded their money back.

Despite the ADT's statement, the wardens are in a quandary since they are not delegated to act against such "offences", and are instead giving warnings to riders.

Etienne Grima, director of Grima Industrial Supplies, criticised the "hasty" decision given by the ADT and asked who was going to pay for the unsold stock.

"When I queried with Customs last May I was told that vehicles under 200 watts did not require a licence; so much so that they were declared toys," he said.

If Customs had informed him that these two-wheeled vehicles necessitated a licence then he would not have bothered importing them.

A particular buyer who went to register his newly-bought scooter was actually told by the Licensing and Testing Department that it was not required since it had little power, he said.

Both the e-bicycles and the battery-powered scooters cannot exceed a speed of some 25 mph, which means its velocity is less than that of a bicycle.

Mr Grima said that the vehicles were in their majority sold to children, though with the consent of their parents.

Grima Industrial Supplies had even gone an extra mile to promote safety by giving a free bicycle helmet with each purchase.

He stressed that the authorities should have come down strongly against those who abused, but it was not fair for the majority to pay for the wrongdoing of a few.

He said he was flabbergasted that the ADT had actually acted against the use of micro scooters which would have reduced congestion and pollution.

Mr Grima claimed that the micro-scooters had actually gone as far as to eradicate abuse among those youngsters that went on joyrides with their parents' vehicles.