Helmets, Alcohol Limits, and Camera Controls: Major Traffic Reform Coming
Austria is preparing sweeping changes to its road traffic regulations aimed at improving safety and reducing misuse of e-scooters and e-mopeds. The new rules will be introduced in stages starting in May 2026 and will affect riders across the country.
The reform package has been submitted to parliament and is expected to pass in spring. Transport Minister بيتر هانكه described the changes as a milestone for mobility. From May 1, e-scooters will be legally classified as vehicles. Riders under 16 will be required to wear helmets, passengers will be banned, and turn signals and bells will become mandatory. The blood alcohol limit for e-scooter riders will be reduced from 0.8 to 0.5 per mille.
Rules for e-bikes will also become stricter. Children under 14 will be required to wear helmets. According to trauma surgeon هارالد فيدالم from Vienna General Hospital, around 7,500 e-scooter accidents required hospital treatment in 2024 alone, with numbers continuing to rise. He says helmet mandates are a crucial step in preventing serious injuries.
From October 1, so-called e-mopeds will be banned from cycle paths and reclassified as motor vehicles. This means registration, license plates, insurance, a driving license, and helmet use will become compulsory. SPÖ transport spokesperson فولفغانغ موئتسي said small e-mopeds are not bicycles and should be treated as motor vehicles, while delivery drivers may receive a short transition period.
Cities and municipalities will also be allowed to introduce camera-based access controls in restricted traffic zones, such as city centers. These areas will be clearly marked, and data protection rules will apply: if no violation is detected, data must be deleted immediately. In addition, the new Intelligent Transport Systems Act will force navigation services to display official road closures, particularly on major routes like the Brenner and Tauern motorways, to prevent traffic from being diverted through residential areas.