Zaragoza rules out renewing scooter rental contracts after fatal accident

The Mayor of Zaragoza, Natalia Chueca, has confirmed that the City Council will not renew contracts with electric scooter rental companies. The decision comes after the death of an 81-year-old man, who was run over by one of these vehicles on Monday while crossing a pedestrian crossing with the traffic light on Paseo de la Independencia. The victim, who suffered serious injuries in the impact, died on Wednesday in hospital, while the woman who was accompanying him continues to recover.

In an interview with radio station Onda Cero, Chueca said that these vehicles have proven to be a means of transport with too many risks and that the city will follow the example of Madrid, where the contract with rental companies was recently revoked.

“We are not going to allow scooters in the city because it is a very risky means of transport and I think they are not as necessary now as they might have been two or three years ago,” he said.

According to data from the Local Police, in 2023, 320 accidents involving electric scooters were recorded in Zaragoza, with a balance of 20 serious injuries. In addition, in 2022, two fatalities were recorded.

The mayor has argued that mobility in Zaragoza must focus on safer and more sustainable alternatives, such as the Bizi Zaragoza service, which will soon have 2,500 bicycles and stations in all neighbourhoods. In addition, she has pointed out that the new public transport contract for buses, which still has no definitive figure, will improve the service with an increase in the kilometres travelled and a remuneration model that will encourage the use of the urban bus.