LISBON, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Porto City Council approved the regulation for "soft modes" of transportation that imposes the compulsory collections of scooters from 22 p.m. and limits the operation to a maximum of 900 vehicles, Portuguese Lusa News Agency reported on Monday.
The new regulation is intended to regulate the activity of companies renting scooters, bicycles and other devices, and states that each licence, granted for a non-renewable period of five years, limits the operation of 700 vehicles, with the possibility of expansion to a maximum of 900, by written agreement of the municipality.
The regulation also stipulates that the circulation of this kind of vehicles is not allowed in areas such as BUS corridors and spaces dedicates to the circulation of vehicles on rail, as well as several main roads of the city and tunnels.
It is also forbidden to circulate these sharing services in pedestrian streets, squares, urban gardens and sidewalks, and their use is restricted to the 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. schedule.
The mobility sharing services have triggered criticism due to their rampant upsurge throughout Portugal during the past two years.
Since their introduction in Lisbon, e-scooters have become very popular with tourists and locals, but have also generated accidents and adverse reactions among the residents.
Last month, police in Lisbon started to take action against drivers who do not comply with safety regulations such as driving in pairs or not wearing helmets.
The electric scooter sharing companies in the city are facing fines up to 300 euros, plus removal fees, for vehicles left on the sidewalk by users.
