Temporary import ban on micro-scooters

A temporary ban is to be placed on the importation of motorised scooters or similar vehicles defined by Customs as toys, parliamentary secretary in the finance ministry Edwin Vassallo said yesterday.

The ban, advised by the department of consumer affairs, will be in place until the scooters are certified as safe by a laboratory, possibly an overseas one, Mr Vassallo said.

Similar items not defined as toys can be imported but users will have to obtain a licence from the Malta Transport Authority (ADT). The licence will be zero-rated.

Importers were informed of the measures at a meeting yesterday.

The vehicles, which can't do more than 25 mph, are environment-friendly but have elicited complaints from pedestrians and drivers.

The authority says it is illegal to ride them in a public place, saying they had not been issued with a road licence because of safety concerns, having been built for off-road use only.

However, wardens cannot fine users because there is no bylaw regulating their use. Nevertheless, sales of micro-scooters and motorbikes that can double up as bicycles have plummeted following the authority's advice.

Mr Vassallo yesterday appealed for responsible use: "They might be quite safe to use in Ta' Qali or within private grounds. But they may not be safe for use on the roads. The consumer department is concerned with safety.

"My message is one of caution. Let this be a learning experience for all the parties involved in dealing with innovations not covered by our laws."

He added that it was important for adverts not to be misleading, and for items to be sold strictly for the purposes they were made.