The capital of Tenerife is set to see the return of electric scooters onto its streets in the upcoming three months. A total of 1,292 new personal mobility vehicles (VMP) will gradually be introduced across the city’s five districts equipped with geolocation systems for enhanced monitoring, as announced yesterday by the Santa Cruz City Council Mobility Councillor, Evelyn Alonso.
Two fresh companies, Tier Mobility and Ridedott, have been tasked with providing the rental service to the city. The City Council has already approved permits for these companies after the previous provider, Linux, went bankrupt. “The companies have been granted initial permission to supply 646 units each, to be stationed across the five districts in designated parking spots.
Consequently, Anaga will host nine parking areas for 48 scooters; Centro-Ifara, 63 spots for 448 units; Ofra-Costa Sur, 43 designated spots for 172 VMPs; Salud-La Salle, 67 parking spaces for 392, and finally, the Southwest area will provide 58 parking slots for 232 VMPs,” stated the mayor. Additionally, she mentioned, “If adjustments to parking locations are needed, they will be made.” The new agreement entails a fee of €10,000 for using public space and a €50 deposit for each scooter for both companies. When selecting these new firms, it was mandatory to ensure they possess an insurance policy covering all potential damages resulting from the electric scooter service operation, for both users and pedestrians.
This insurance must offer a minimum coverage of €300,000. Also, two training sessions are planned for the Local Police to acquaint them with the new municipal Mobility regulations that became effective on February 9. The council member assured during a plenary session that one of these sessions would focus on electric scooters and the regulation of their usage by children under 15 years old, the minimum legal age set by the General Traffic Directorate (DGT) for circulation.
These training workshops are scheduled for March 7 and 8 in Añaza. Evelyn Alonso also affirmed that going forward, the area “will possess a wealth of data on scooter usage due to the set requirements the two companies must meet, data that will be instrumental in enhancing this service in the city.” She also emphasised that the City Council has sanctioned seven rules concerning scooters and will bolster awareness of their usage, while also urging for responsible behaviour from citizens.
