Source: European Parliament
Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 (the regulation)[1] does not define the term ‘mobility equipment’. However, it can be understood as meaning any equipment that is intended to assist persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility with their mobility. Thus, electric mopeds could in certain circumstances also be considered as mobility equipment.
In general, persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility are entitled to travel with their mobility equipment when using bus and coach transport. However, Article 10(1) of the regulation allows carriers to deny the transport of certain mobility equipment in two cases:
a. If international, Union or national safety legislation, or safety requirements established by the competent authorities prohibit the transporting of the mobility equipment in question; or
b. If the design of the vehicle or the infrastructure, including bus stops and terminals, makes it physically impossible to take on board, alight or carry the person with disabilities or person with reduced mobility in a safe and operationally feasible manner with the mobility equipment in question.
At the moment there are no specific EU level rules applicable to the transport of the electric mopeds of persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility on buses and coaches. Safety concerns may justify Member States to adopt national rules prohibiting or limiting the transport of electric mopeds on buses and coaches.
- [1] Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 Text with EEA relevance OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 1-12.