Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — The new Municipal Traffic Regulations that will include micromobility units is waiting approval. PDC Councilman Orlando Muñoz Gómez, who is also President of the Municipal Committee of Citizen Security, says they continue to wait despite having sent the official documents.
He says documents were submitted to the General Secretariat for review, but the process has been delayed by administrative changes and pending comments from some council members.
“I have already submitted the regulations for the opinion for the Commission’s analysis, but we haven’t made any progress. If it’s not delayed by a change of director, then its delayed because some colleagues have not been able to validate an issue or opinion,” he explained.
Muñoz Gómez said that the new regulations close existing legal loopholes surrounding micromobility units such as electric scooters, electric bicycles and modified motorcycles since they are not currently classified.
“We have electric motorcycles that circulate like scooters on the roads, but they don’t fit into the current regulations like motorcycles because they don’t use gasoline, nor are they like bicycles because they’re bigger. That’s what’s been affecting us,” he commented.
The councilor emphasized that these vehicles should be regulated the same as traditional motorcycles given that they pose similar risks.
“Even though they’re electric, they have motors and if they travel in unauthorized areas they can cause serious accidents,” he said.
Among the proposals included in the new regulations is the possibility of requiring third party insurance for electric scooters and motorcycles.
“It would be affordable insurance costing no more than 1,200 pesos a year to protect both the driver and third parties,” he said.
Muñoz Gómez noted that beyond regulating these types of vehicles, a public awareness campaign is also necessary.
“Regulations are useless if no one complies with them. The Director of Traffic has already made a commitment to issue recommendations and awareness-raising actions. It’s for everyone’s safety,” he noted.
