Valencia Establishes E-Scooter Police Unit to Enhance Enforcement on Violations
The Valencia city government recently announced the official formation of a law enforcement unit named the “Special Police Unit for Personal Mobility Vehicles” (Unidad de Policía Local de Vehículos de Movilidad Personal) to address the growing use of electric scooters and related violations in the city. The move aims to improve urban traffic safety, especially ahead of major festive events.
Specialized Unit Composition and Duties
This newly formed special unit will initially consist of 10 officers. They will be equipped with special police vehicles faster than standard civilian e-scooters to carry out patrols and interceptions more effectively. The unit’s primary duty is to ensure e-scooter riders comply with traffic regulations. Patrols will focus on bike lanes, sidewalks, and other designated pedestrian areas, which are hotspots for conflicts and accidents involving scooters.
Enforcement Timeline and Priorities
According to the official plan, the special unit will begin enforcement operations just before the 2026 Fallas festival celebrations. Furthermore, from February 9, 2026, until the end of Fallas, the Valencia Police Department will launch an intensified enforcement campaign lasting several weeks, with daily, intensive traffic checks. Key enforcement priorities include: riding in prohibited areas like sidewalks, not wearing a helmet, and dangerous behaviors such as using headphones while riding, which can cause distractions.
Vehicle Documentation Compliance Requirements
In addition to riding behavior, officers will also strictly inspect whether the e-scooters themselves comply with regulations. According to new rules from Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (Dirección General de Tráfico, DGT), as of January 2026, all newly sold e-scooters must have an official circulation certificate and be registered. Valencia’s Mayor, María José Catalá, stated that urban mobility models are changing, and adaptive measures must be taken to manage the surge in e-scooters. Therefore, owners must ensure their vehicles are registered and have mandatory liability insurance, as lacking these necessary documents will also result in heavy fines.
