Lisbon Town Hall has reiterated that parishes lack the necessary competences to fine scooters and bicycles in public spaces. The statement comes after the Lisbon parish of Santa Maria Maior announced in June its intentions of legislating the equipment.


The Town Hall justified its opposition by saying that ‘according to the Traffic Code, the fines regarding improper parking of equipment are charged by the Lisbon Municipality, through the competent entities of the Municipal Police and the Municipal Company of Mobility and Parking of Lisbon (EMEL)’.


Nonetheless, Santa Maria Maior’s parish has started to inspect the parking of bicycles, scooters and segways, while applying fines between €60 and €300. This regulation will be in place until 2021, in an attempt to prohibit the parking of vehicles that ‘obstruct the safe circulation’ of pedestrians.