Regulating e-scooters is definitely a step in the right direction. Use of the new means of transport has skyrocketed over the past few weeks and months, mainly because these scooters offer their users the means to beat the traffic and get from point A to point B more quickly.

But their use has also led to concerns, particularly about safety. It seems that, so far, everyone can rent or buy an e-scooter and ride it on busy arterial roads, without the need to wear a vest or a helmet, and without prior driving experience.

The consultation exercise launched Monday by Transport Minister Ian Borg was a welcome move, but many argued that the proposed regulations – which are still in time to be changed – actually discourage the use of this new and green means of transport.

Under the proposed regulations, there will be a one-time registration fee of €11.65 while an annual license of €25 per year in the form of a road license will be charged to e-scooter owners. Operators of e-scooter sharing schemes will have to pay a €200 annual license fee and a €25 fee per e-scooter operated.

While it is understandable that some form of fee should be paid to make use of the road infrastructure, some have argued that the annual license fee is higher than that of a petrol or diesel-powered scooter of up to 125cc – which is set at €10 per year. In essence, this means that an electric powered scooter is taxed at a higher rate than an emission-emitting motorcycle.

It has also been argued that, if people using these e-scooters are to pay a road license, they should have appropriate road infrastructure to use. And we all know what the situation is with regard to bike lanes in this country.

The proposed regulations also ban the use of these e-scooters from arterial roads, which sets a very rigid limit on their use. Effectively, this means that they cannot be used to travel between certain localities.

The proposed Central Link project in Attard is an arterial road which will have, according to Infrastructure Malta, many bike lanes and pedestrian walkways. If cyclists can make use of arterial roads (through bike lanes), we cannot understand why e-scooters cannot be used in the same way.

Having said all this, people using e-scooters need to know the rules of the road and exercise safety and caution. In that sense, it is positive to note that e-scooter drivers will need to have a category A, B, or AM licence. It is also positive that scooter drivers will have to wear a high-visibility vest when on the road, but we do not agree that the use of helmets is only being recommended, rather than being made mandatory.

Recent legislation removed the mandatory use of helmets for cyclist, though most still opt to wear protection when going around on our busy roads. There is a reason for wearing a helmet, especially when riding a motorcycle or bicycle, which lack the safety features of modern cars.

E-scooters will only be allowed to park in special designated areas. While e-scooters should not be allowed to take up entire car parking bays, these designated areas should not restrictive to the point that discourages their use.

One would now hope that common sense prevails during the short consultation period that is currently underway and that the use of alternative means of transport that can help alleviate our chronic traffic problem is well regulated but also encouraged.