While new traffic accidents involving electric scooters are recorded almost daily, their use in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not yet regulated by clear state regulations. The law that would define the rules for this type of transport is still in the parliamentary procedure, and due to the legal vacuum, some local communities are trying to regulate the issue of scooter movement themselves.
One of the key issues is where electric scooters are allowed to move. According to the proposed solutions, they should use bicycle paths, and where there is no pavement, on roads where speeds up to 50 kilometers per hour are allowed. The problem is that in Zenica, a large part of the bicycle paths are located on sidewalks, which could create additional safety problems.
Ibrahim Alispahić from the Bicycle Club “Rotacija SPIN” Zenica warns that the bicycle infrastructure in the city is insufficient and that the inclusion of electric scooters in the existing system could further endanger pedestrians and cyclists.
“In general, the bicycle infrastructure in Zenica is scarce, we don’t have enough bicycle paths. I think that if rommobils were to be included, a bigger problem would arise because we are all aware that they move at much higher speeds than the legally prescribed 25 to 30 km/h,” Alispahić said.
Traffic expert Adis Imamović believes that it is necessary to further develop the cycling infrastructure and clearly separate areas where new means of transport would move.
“We have to find a way to partly expand the bicycle paths, geographically to expand them, to separate areas on the roads where these means of transport will move, to draw as many bicycle paths as possible”, said Imamović.
While waiting for the state law, some local communities are already making their own decisions. In Zenica, such a decision has not yet been made, which is why the Forum of Citizens sent a proposal to the City Council asking for clearly defined rules.
The President of the Zenica Citizens’ Forum, Mirsad Mujkić, called on the City Council to react as soon as possible.
“We appeal to the Zenica City Council to make a decision within its jurisdiction as soon as possible. These are general rules that have already been implemented in other countries and environments, so there is no need for anything here, nor will we be able to come up with any revolutionary solutions, but it is important that we know who, what age and in what part of the city they can move around,” said Mujkić.
The proposed legal solutions stipulate a minimum age of 14 and mandatory protective equipment. However, the interlocutors warn that the regulations will not be enough without more responsible behavior by drivers, especially when it comes to children and minors. The Zenica Citizens’ Forum has therefore launched an educational campaign on safe driving.
Until clearer rules are adopted, safety will largely depend on the drivers themselves and compliance with basic traffic rules.
