Benidorm approves one-person limit for mobility scooters, with rules not yet in force

Benidorm council unanimously approved a change to its number 1 mobility ordinance on Monday, 26 October, providing for a limit of one person on self-propelled mobility chairs and scooters.

The vote does not mean that the change is already in force: a further one-month period for objections from interested parties will open before the new rules can take effect.

Protecting pedestrians and regulating use

Mobility councillor Francis Muñoz said the reform seeks to bring municipal rules into line with national changes and strengthen protection for pedestrians in relation to electric scooters and self-propelled mobility chairs.

For electric mobility chairs or mobility scooters, the approved text will prohibit carrying more than one person at a time once the new regulation has entered into force.

Muñoz said the aim was to prevent vehicles configured for several people from being used as a leisure option or form of tourist transport, creating risks in spaces intended for pedestrians.

The councillor stressed that the measure was not intended to restrict the mobility of people who genuinely need these devices, and argued that the revised text would provide greater legal certainty.

He told the debate that no objections had been submitted to the text that came before this council meeting.

Council defends keeping its low-emission zone

During the discussion, Muñoz also defended the continued operation of Benidorm’s low-emission zone following a court ruling concerning a similar arrangement in Málaga.

Andalusia’s High Court of Justice has annulled provisions exempting vehicles registered and domiciled in Málaga city from penalties, finding that the measure was discriminatory.

The councillor ruled out reviewing the configuration of Benidorm’s zone and maintained that it was meeting its aim of protecting the most sensitive areas, particularly the old town, in the interests of people’s wellbeing and health.

He also denied that the zone had harmed the local economy and said traffic in the city had risen by 9% compared with the previous year.