Soft mobility

Device/vehicle

Definition (Art. 2)

Age restrictions and traffic rules

Personal mobility device

A small, non-electric wheeled device that is attached to the feet or includes a footboard, with or without an upright steering handle, used to transport an individual, as well as any wheeled device, electric or not, that can be used by a child and with a maximum design speed not exceeding 6 km/h.

E.g. skateboards, roller blades, small electric vehicles for children, etc.

• On pavements and other spaces meant for pedestrians: no age restriction, but allowed as long as there is no impediment or danger to other users
• Up to 10 years (as long as the child is accompanied by a person over the age of 15) and from 10 years on all other parts of the public highway, but only if indicated by an additional sign (type 6.b).

Cycle

A vehicle with at least two wheels propelled exclusively by the muscle power of the person(s) on the vehicle, in particular by pedals or hand cranks.

Alcohol limit: < 0.5‰

Vehicles in the "cycle" category ridden on public roads must be fitted with certain mandatory items.

Regulations concerning age:

• However, with the exception of electric bikes and electric micro-vehicles, cycles may be ridden by:
• children aged under 10 years, when accompanied by a person aged at least 15;
• children aged at least 6 in cycle lanes or recommended cycle lanes or on their way to and from school.
• Under the same conditions, a person aged 13 or over may ride a cycle to accompany one or more children aged under 13.

Normally, users of "cycles" are allowed to ride side-by-side (maximum 2 bikes). However, in the following situations, users of a "cycle" must move into single file:

• On bends, when approaching the brow of a hill, and on level crossings and their approaches;
• Between dusk and dawn;
• In an urban area in locations where the speed limit is greater than or equal to 50 km/h, when they are being overtaken or when they should expect to be overtaken by a motor vehicle;
• When they are unnecessarily hindering other road users.

The mandatory lights required on electric micro-vehicles are different to those on a cycle:

• If it is technically impossible to fix lateral reflectors on electric micro-vehicles, reflective tapes or other reflective devices must be fixed on both sides of the vehicle or on the driver's clothing.
• The lights on electric micro-vehicles must be illuminated day and night.
• In conditions of poor visibility and from dusk until dawn, and during the daytime when the atmospheric conditions require it, the red rear lights must be clearly visible at a height of at least 40 cm above the ground. Where the vehicle is not equipped with such lights, equivalent luminous devices may be worn by the driver.

An electric bike is categorised like a cycle as far as the equipment and behaviour required are concerned, with the exception of the minimum age, which is set at 10 years.

"Electric scooters" with motors between 250w and 500w are considered as electric bikes.

Electric micro-vehicle

Small road vehicle with at least one wheel, with or without a seat, designed to transport a single person:

• which is propelled exclusively by an electric motor with a rated output not exceeding 0.25 kW;
• with a maximum design speed greater than 6 km/h;
• with a maximum design speed not exceeding 25 km/h.

E.g. electric scooter, hoverboard, etc.

Power-assisted pedal cycle

Road vehicle with at least 2 wheels jointly propelled by the muscle power of the person or persons on the vehicle and the power supplied by an auxiliary electric motor, of which the:

• maximum continuous rated output does not exceed 0.25 kW;
• power supply is reduced if the speed of the vehicle increases and cuts out if the speed reaches 25 km/h, or earlier, if the person or persons on the vehicle stop pedalling.

Electric bike

Road vehicle with at least 2 wheels, with or without a seat:

• which is exclusively propelled by the power supplied by an electric motor of which the maximum continuous rated output does not exceed 0.5 kW;
• of which the maximum design speed does not exceed 25 km/h.

E.g. Segway, e-scooter, etc.

Mopeds

Self-propelled vehicle with 2 or 3 wheels, of which the maximum design speed does not exceed 45 km/h and which is equipped with:

• either an electric motor,
• or an internal combustion engine with a capacity no greater than 50 cm3.

Depending on whether it has 2 or 3 wheels, a moped is classed as an L1 or L2 vehicle and requires an AM driving licence.

Examples: S-pedelec (pedelec 45), e-scooter, etc.

• Not allowed to use cycle lanes
• A helmet must be worn
• Vehicles in the "mopeds" category must be declared to the relevant authorities
• Maximum speed: 45 km/h
• No indicators are required on an "S-pedelec"
• Minimum age to ride a moped: 16