Entry into force of micromobility legislation will bring changes to traffic surveillance and sanctions

The Government bill concerning legislation on micromobility has been approved by Finnish Parliament. The amendments to the Road Traffic Act and the Vehicles Act included in the bill will enter into force today, 17 June 2025. The new legislation will bring several changes to traffic surveillance. The changes that will enter into force concern issues such as electric scooters. The amendments to the Act on Transport Services and to the Act on the Transfer of Vehicles will enter into force on 1 August 2025.

Effects of the changes on road users from 17 June

Road Traffic Act

In the future, the rider of a light electric vehicle, such as an electric scooter, must be at least 15 years old, and the vehicle must not be handed over to anyone under 15 years of age. A person who intentionally or negligently hands over a light electric vehicle to a person under the age of 15 may be issued a traffic penalty fee of 60 euros. 

However, the change does not apply to bicycles equipped with a motor. Bicycles equipped with a motor are ones with a maximum motor power of 1 kW and a maximum assistance speed of 25 km/h. Moreover, their electric assistance works without pedalling.

Light electric vehicles include, among other things, a majority of so-called electric scooters, because they have a design speed of more than 15 km/h but no more than 25 km/h. Electric scooters with a maximum design speed of 15 km/h are considered devices that assist pedestrian traffic, and the age limit does not apply to their use. 

Other amendments to the Road Traffic Act

• It is prohibited to ride a bicycle equipped with a motor and a light electric vehicle when the blood alcohol content is at least 0.5 per mil or if there is an active ingredient of a narcotic substance or its metabolite in the blood. However, this does not apply to regular or electrically assisted bicycles.
• In the future, riders of bicycles, motorised bicycles and light electric vehicles may also be prevented from operating the device due to intoxication. This has already been the case with drivers of motorised vehicles or trams.
• A police officer, border guard officer or customs officer may order a rider of a bicycle, motorised bicycle or light electric vehicle aged 15 or over to undergo a breathalyser screening test in order to detect any alcohol or other narcotic substance the rider may have consumed. The test must be carried out discreetly and in such a way that it does not cause unnecessary or unreasonable harm to the person in question.
• In the future, anyone walking a motorised bicycle or a light electric vehicle will also be considered a pedestrian.
• In the future, a self-balancing light electric vehicle cannot be ridden on the pavement. 
• The rider and passenger of a motorised bicycle and light electric vehicle must also generally wear a safety helmet while riding. However, the nature of the provision is still a recommendation.
• The traffic penalty fee imposed for offences committed by drivers of non-motorised vehicles and animals will increase from 40 euros to 60 euros. 
• A traffic penalty fee of 200 euros may be imposed on a person who intentionally rides a light electric vehicle or a motorised bicycle while intoxicated.
• Anyone guilty of a traffic offence can be issued a decision on a traffic penalty fee as an ordinary notification within two weeks by mail or as a suomi.fi message, if the identity of the offender has been established immediately. In the case of offences other than those committed while operating a non-motorised vehicle, this method of notification will be introduced once the necessary changes to the information systems have been implemented.

Vehicles Act

• In the future, the rider of a motorised bicycle or light electric vehicle may also be issued a traffic penalty fee of 40 euros if the rider intentionally or negligently violates the section of the law concerning the structure, equipment or condition of the vehicle.

Effects of the changes on the renters of shared vehicles from 1 August

As a result of the legislative amendments, offering shared vehicles for rent will require a new micromobility licence. In the future, offering shared light vehicles for rent without a micromobility licence will be an offence concerning the practising of unauthorised professional transport. 

In addition, a legal person who intentionally or negligently hands over a light electric vehicle to a person under the age of 15 may be ordered to pay a traffic penalty fee of 60 euros. This will enter into force for legal persons once the necessary changes to the information systems have been implemented. 

Act on the Transfer of Vehicles

In the future, a municipality or municipal parking warden will be allowed to transfer a vehicle locally or to storage immediately if a light electric vehicle or a motorised bicycle that is available for rent has been parked in violation of the licence conditions of the micromobility licence concerning it. This also applies to a vehicle that has been parked in an area managed by the municipality without a valid micromobility licence.