Riding an e-scooter around Lisbon without a helmet could soon become illegal. On September 30, Portugal’s parliament approved a bill in its first reading proposed by the ruling PSD (Social Democratic Party, centre-right) by an overwhelming majority. It is not law yet: the bill will now be reviewed by the relevant parliamentary committee, followed by a final vote and the president’s signature.
The proposed rules would make helmets mandatory for anyone riding e-scooters, electric unicycles, hoverboards and similar devices, as well as for both riders and passengers on e-bikes. From sunset to sunrise, and whenever visibility is poor, riders would also have to wear something reflective. A full safety vest would not be necessary — reflective elements on clothing, a strip or even a sticker on a helmet would be enough.
Riding an e-scooter without a helmet could result in a €60–€300 fine, while the penalty for riding an e-bike without one would be €30–€150. The same €30–€150 fine would apply for failing to use reflective gear when required.
The bill does not cover conventional, non-electric bicycles, for which helmets would remain recommended rather than mandatory.
The authors of the bill point to the growing number of accidents. According to data from the GNR, Portugal’s National Republican Guard, more than 1,900 accidents involving e-scooters have been recorded over the past seven years, with 10 people killed. Before 2021, there were around 25 such accidents a year. In 2024, the number topped 700.
Needless to say, not everyone is thrilled about the idea — especially when it comes to e-bikes. The Socialists warn that the measure could deal another blow to Gira, Lisbon’s budget-friendly bike-sharing service: few people carry a helmet around with them “just in case.” As for e-scooters, Portugal could take a cue from Israel, where helmets on rental scooters are attached directly to the vehicle.
