New rules for electric scooters were adopted by the Municipal Council in Varna after approving changes in the Ordinance on the organization of traffic on the territory of the municipality. The amendments introduced by the GERB group received the support of 41 municipal councilors.
A speed limit of 25 km/h is being introduced for electric vehicles. Their movement is prohibited in parks, gardens, squares, children’s playgrounds, sidewalks, intersections with pedestrian crossings, with the exception of designated places. The scooters there will only be able to be pushed, because the permitted speed is up to 5 km/h. In case of violation, the prescribed fine is BGN 50. The financial sanction is the same for improper parking.
The municipality will have a three-month period to allocate parking spaces for the electric scooters in parks, gardens and pedestrian areas.
Owners or operators providing e-scooters for hire will be required to use software technology to limit speed according to traffic zones and to prevent parking outside designated spaces.
In case of violation of the speed limit, the pecuniary penalty for legal entities will be between BGN 500 and 1,000. Companies will be fined BGN 500 for parking an electric vehicle outside the designated spots, and for repeated violations the fine will be between BGN 800 and BGN 2,000.
Owners or operators providing electric scooters for rent will be required to remove improperly parked vehicles no later than 4 hours on weekdays and 6 hours on weekends after a violation has been established. If this does not happen, the pecuniary sanction for the legal entity will be in the amount of BGN 300, and in the case of a repeat offense – BGN 500.
