The San Gwann Local Council will provide a total of 40 parking bays designated for e-scooters in the coming weeks, San Gwann mayor Trevor Fenech announced.

In a Facebook post, Fenech said that the local council has identified a number of sites where the parking spaces will be set up without being an obstacle to access to the pavements and without taking up any car parking spaces.

Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia had said that people who park scooters outside designated parking bays will either have the deposit paid to use the vehicle forfeited, or their credit cards will be billed.

“We have always believed in and encouraged the use of alternative transport. E-scooters are part of this alternative. We hope that whoever uses the scooters, does so responsibly and makes use of these parking spaces provided,” Fenech said.

By next week, 20 parking bays will be set up, with another 20 to be done shortly after, Fenech said.

He said that this is the way to have fewer cars on the road, cleaner air, and a better environment.

Mayors of localities in the eastern region, which includes Sliema, Gżira and St Julian's, had publicly called for better regulation and enforcement due to improper scooter parking, as it was causing an inconvenience for pavement users in their localities.

Bolt, the largest operator on the island, had said that it is aware of the issue of improper scooter parking, adding that the company is working to introduce features which prevent illegalities. It said it is working on a feature that allows users to park in specific zones, with an inbuilt system in the scooter.