LOW-POWERED VEHICLES AND PEDAL CYCLES [ S.L.65.26 1 SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 65.26 LOW-POWERED VEHICLES AND PEDAL CYCLES REGULATIONS 16th March, 2004; 1st June, 2004 LEGAL NOTICE 129 of 2004, as amended by Legal Notices 408 of 2007, 504 of 2010, 365 and 426 of 2012,176 of 2015 and 137 of 2018. 1. The title of these regulations is the Low-Powered Vehicles and Pedal Cycles Regulations. 2. In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires: ''the Authority'' means the Authority for Transport in Malta as established by the Authority for Transport in Malta Act; ''bypass'' means a main road built to avoid a town or a village or other congested area; ''footpath'' means, for the purpose of these regulations, a hardsurfaced path for pedestrians alongside, and a little higher than a road; ''go-ped'' means a motorised scooter with a small combustion engine or electric motor, having a maximum speed of 32 km per hour, small non-pneumatic tyres with an average dimension of 6.25cm x 15cm, with two or four wheels, without a saddle for the driver, and a gross weight not exceeding 15 kg; ''kerbside weight'' means the weight of the vehicle without any person on it and with no load on it other than the loose tools and equipment with which it is normally equipped; ''light quadricycle'' means a motor vehicle with four wheels whose unladen weight is not more than 350 kg, not including the mass of the batteries in case of electric vehicles, whose maximum design speed is not more than 45 km per hour, and (
- i)whose engine cylinder capacity does not exceed 50 cm3 for spark (positive) ignition engines, or (
- ii)whose maximum net power output does not exceed 4 kW in the case of other internal combustion engines, or (iii) whose maximum continuous rated power does not exceed 4 kW in the case of an electric motor; ''low-powered cycle'' means a vehicle, having a kerbside weight not exceeding 350 kg, which is either propelled only by pedals in the case of a bicycle or tricycle, or by a combination of pedals and a motor in the case of a power assisted bicycle or tricycle, or by a combustion engine of a piston displacement capacity 50 cm 3 or less, and a maximum of two brake horsepower, or an electric motor with a maximum net power output of 1.49Kw, which is capable of a maximum speed of not more than 45 km per hour in the case of a motorised scooter or cycle, including mopeds, go-peds and light Title. Substituted by: L.N. 365 of 2012. Interpretation. Amended by: L.N. 363 of 2010; L.N. 504 of 2010; L.N. 365 of 2012; L.N. 176 of 2015. Cap. 499. 2 [ S.L.65.26 LOW-POWERED VEHICLES AND PEDAL CYCLES quadricycles; ''low-powered vehicles'' means vehicles which do not exceed the speed of 45km per hour; ''mobility scooters'' and ''motorised wheelchairs'' are vehicles used by persons with disabilities; ''moped'' means a two or three-wheel vehicle (category L1e) or three wheel vehicle (category L2e) with a maximum design speed of not more than 45km/h, and characterized by (
- i)in the case of the two-wheel type, an engine whose: - cylinder capacity does not exceed 50cm 3 in the case of the internal combustion type, or maximum continuous rated power is no more than 4kW in the case of an electric motor; (
- ii)in the case of the three-wheel type, an engine whose: - cylinder capacity does not exceed 50cm3 if of the spark (positive) ignition type, or maximum net power output does not exceed 4kW in the case of other internal combustion engines, or maximum continuous rated power does not exceed 4kW in the case of an electric motor; ''motorised scooter'' means a go-ped, a motorised micro scooter and a motorised skateboard; ''motorised micro scooter'' means a scooter, with a seat for the rider, having either an internal combustion engine not exceeding 50 cm 3 or an electrical-powered motor and can reach speeds up to 25 km per hour; ''motorised foot scooter'' means a device with no more than two 25-centimetre or smaller diameter wheels that has handlebars, is designed to either stand or sit on, and is powered by an engine or motor capable of propelling the scooter, with a travelling speed of not more than 6 km per hour; ''motorised skateboard'' means a small two-wheeled or fourwheeled motorised vehicle without handles, having a gross weight not exceeding 21 kg, powered by a single cylinder petrol engine whose cylinder capacity does not exceed 50 cm 3 or by an electric motor and can reach speeds up to 45 km per hour; ''pedal cycle'' means a two or three-wheeled vehicle that is propelled solely by human power by means of pedals; ''pedelec'' means a pedal electric cycle whose electric motor is activated as soon as the rider starts pedalling and deactivated as soon as the rider stops pedalling; ''power assisted pedal cycle'' means a two or three-wheeled motor assisted cycle, including pedelecs, having a kerbside weight of not more than 40 kilogrammes in the case of a bicycle and not more than 60 kilogrammes in the case of a tricycle or tandem bicycle, and is fitted with pedals capable of propelling it; LOW-POWERED VEHICLES AND PEDAL CYCLES [ S.L.65.26 3 ''promenade'' means a public area set aside as a pedestrian walk; "road" means any road, street, lane, square, or other place of public thoroughfare, and it includes any bridge over which, and any tunnel through which, a road passes; "self-balancing vehicle" means a vehicle concept that is based on an inherent unstable equilibrium and that needs an auxiliary control system to maintain its balance, and which includes powered one-wheel vehicles or powered two-wheel, two-track vehicles; ''t un ne l'' m ean s, f o r t he pu r po se of t h ese re gu lat i on s, an underground passage forming part of a road; " very low-speed vehicle" means, for the purpose of these regulations, a motorised foot scooter, a mobility scooter or a motorised wheelchair that can travel not more than 6km per hour. Part I PEDAL CYCLES, POWER ASSISTED PEDAL CYCLES AND PEDELECS Substituted by: L.N. 176 of 2015. Registration 3.
(1)No pedal cycle manufactured for the purpose of being used as a pedal cycle may be fitted with an internal combustion motor or with an auxiliary electric motor having an output of more than 250 watts and producing a travelling speed of more than 25 kilometres per hour. Motor fitted to a pedal cycle. Substituted by: L.N. 365 of 2012. Amended by: L.N. 176 of 2015.
(2)Where a pedal cycle manufactured for the purpose of being used as a pedal cycle is fitted with a motor satisfying the provisions of sub-regulation
(1), it shall also be fitted with (
- a)a speedometer capable of indicating the vehicle speed in kilometres; and (
- b)in the case of a cycle fitted with an internal combustion motor, a complete exhaust system emitting a sound level of not more than 91dbA.
(3)Where a pedal cycle manufactured for the purpose of being used as a pedal cycle is fitted with a motor in breach of the provisions of sub-regulation
(1), it shall neither be registered by the Authority nor used on the road. 4.
(1)No person shall ride on a road any power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, which is fitted with an electric motor having an output of more than 250 watts unless it is registered with the Authority.
(2)The registration of power assisted pedal cycles, including pedelecs, whose electric motor has an output of more than 250 watts shall be made against the payment of an administrative fee of eleven euro and sixty-five cents (€11.65) payable to the Authority.
(3)Power assisted pedal cycles, including pedelecs, whose electric motor has an output of not more than 250 watts, shall not be registered with the Authority.
(4)The following documents shall be produced to the Authority at the time of first registration: Power assisted pedal cycle to be registered. Amended by: L.N. 408 of 2007; L.N. 365 of 2012; L.N. 176 of 2015; L.N. 137 of 2018. 4 [ S.L.65.26 LOW-POWERED VEHICLES AND PEDAL CYCLES (
- a)registration form duly filled and stamped by the Customs Department if imported from a State which is not a Member State of the European Union, (
- b)customs documents if imported from a State which is not a Member State of the European Union, (
- c)invoice and other documents showing the CIF price, (
- d)technical specifications of the vehicle. Third party risks insurance. Added by: L.N. 176 of 2015. Cap. 104. 4A. No power assisted pedal cycle, including pedelecs, whose electric motor has an output of more than 250 watts may be used on the road unless it is covered by a third-party risks insurance in compliance with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Insurance (Third-Party Risks) Ordinance. Age of driver of power assisted pedal cycles. Amended by: L.N. 408 of 2007; L.N. 426 of 2012; L.N. 176 of 2015; L.N. 137 of 2018. 5.
(1)No person shall ride a power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, fitted with an electric motor having an output of more than 250 watts on a road unless that person (
- a)has reached the age of sixteen years, (
- b)is in possession of a legally valid identification document, and (
- c)where such person is to ride a power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, whose electric motor has an output of more than 250 watts, has satisfied the Authority that he or she has some knowledge of the Highway Code through a theory test.
(2)The Authority shall charge an administrative fee of eleven euro and sixty-five cents (11.65) for the provision of the said theory test. Equipment Requirements applicable to power assisted pedal cycles. Amended by: L.N. 176 of 2015. 6. No person shall ride, or cause or permit to be ridden, on a road, a power assisted pedal cycle unless it is fitted with (
- a)a plate securely fixed in a conspicuous and accessible position showing (
- i)the name of the manufacturer; (
- ii)the nominal voltage in the case of an electric motor; (iii) the cubic capacity and horse power of the motor of the internal combustion; and; (
- iv)the continuous rated output in Kw of the electric motor; (
- b)an identification number stamped on the frame; (
- c)an effective braking system; (
- d)a battery in the case of an electrically assisted cycle; (
- e)a switch that, when released by the rider, cuts the power to the motor, or equivalent mechanism that disconnects power to the motor unless sustained action is maintained by the rider. LOW-POWERED VEHICLES AND PEDAL CYCLES [ S.L.65.26 7. Every pedal cycle and every power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, shall be fitted with a functional bell or horn capable of giving sufficient warning of its approach or position: 5 Bell or horn required. Amended by: L.N. 176 of 2015. Provided that racing bicycles shall be exempted from the provisions of this regulation. 8. Any officer of the Authority or Police officer or community officer may, for the purpose of ascertaining any of the requirements specified in regulations 5 and 6, test and inspect a power assisted pedal cycle on a road. Inspection. Amended by: L.N. 176 of 2015. 9.
(1)Every pedal cycle and every power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, shall be fitted with - Lighting equipment and riding at night. Amended by: L.N. 176 of 2015. (
- a)a single front lamp showing a white light, positioned centrally or offside and visible from the front; (
- b)a rear lamp showing a red light, positioned centrally or offside and visible from behind; (
- c)a rear reflector, coloured red, positioned centrally or offside and visible from behind: Provided that racing bicycles shall be exempted from the provisions of this sub-regulation unless used on the road at night.
(2)No person shall ride a pedal cycle, or a power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, at dark unless the cycle displays (
- a)a white light that is clearly visible from a reasonable distance from the front of the cycle; (
- b)a red light that is clearly visible from a reasonable distance from the rear of the cycle; (
- c)at least a red reflector which is clearly visible for at least 50 metres from the rear of the cycle when light is projected onto it by a vehicle’s headlight on low-beam.
(3)No person shall ride a pedal cycle, or a power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, at dark without wearing reflective strips or a reflective vest: Provided that pedal cycles classified as toys shall be exempted from the provisions of this regulation. Usage
- No person shall ride a power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, fitted with an electric motor having an output of more than 250 watts on a road without wearing a bicycle helmet made of material to resist blows, securely fitted and fastened on the rider’s head. Helmet required for power assisted pedal cycle riders. Amended by: L.N. 176 of 2015; L.N. 137 of
- 11.
(1)No person shall ride or permit to be ridden any pedal cycle or a power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, unless clearly marked otherwise - Restrictions on riding in public areas. Amended by: L.N. 365 of 2012; L.N. 176 of 2015; L.N. 137 of 2018. (
- a)along a promenade; (
- b)in pedestrian subways; (
- c)in road tunnels; 6 [ S.L.65.26 LOW-POWERED VEHICLES AND PEDAL CYCLES (
- d)on footpaths: Provided that pedal cycles, including pedelecs with a motor output of 250w or less may be ridden, with prudence, on footpaths along bypasses and on footpaths along tunnels, with a speed limit of not more than 6 kilometres per hour and giving way to pedestrians. In any case, small pedal cycles may be ridden on footpaths and promenades by children aged under twelve years. Provided further that pedal cycles may be ridden, with prudence, on promenades where there are signs put up by the Authority indicating that pedal cycles may be ridden on such promenades, in which event the rider of the pedal cycle shall be obliged to abide by the maximum speed limits which shall be shown on the said signs: Provided further that, in certain sections of the promenades, as indicated by signs which shall be put up by the Authority, a person riding a pedal cycle may be obliged to de-mount or to give priority to pedestrians, as the case may be
(2)When riding a pedal cycle or a power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec on a road, a person shall keep to the nearside left of the road as possible in the direction of traffic except on the approach to an intersection or a roundabout or when overtaking other traffic. Observance of traffic regulations. Amended by: L.N. 176 of
- Any person who rides any pedal cycle or a power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, on a road shall observe and abide by all traffic regulations. Restrictions of carriage of persons. Amended by: L.N. 176 of 2015; L.N. 137 of
- 13.
(1)It is an offence for more than one person to ride, or be carried on, a pedal cycle or a power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, unless the said vehicle is adapted to carry more than one person.
(2)Any person carried on a pedal cycle or a power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, in contravention of subregulation
(1)shall be guilty of an offence.
(3)Children under ten travelling on someone else’s pedal cycle or a power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, once the said pedal cycle or a power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec is adapted to do so, shall be seated in a safety seat and shall where such pedal cycle or power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, is fitted with an electric motor having an output of more than 250 watts, be obliged to wear a bicycle helmet. Holding on to other vehicles. Amended by: L.N. 176 of 2015. 14. It is an offence for a person on a pedal cycle or a power assisted pedal cycle, including a pedelec, to hold on to any other vehicle which is in motion or hold on to any person or thing on, in or attached to any such vehicle. Restrictions on cycle racing on roads. Amended by: L.N. 176 of 2015. 15.
(1)No person shall take part in a race on a road between pedal cycles or power assisted pedal cycles, including pedelecs or between any of such cycles unless the race is authorised.
(2)Requests to organize races between pedal cycles or between power assisted pedal cycles or between pedelecs or between any of LOW-POWERED VEHICLES AND PEDAL CYCLES [ S.L.65.26 7 such cycles on a road shall be made jointly to the Authority and to the Commissioner of Police. Part II MOPEDS AND LIGHT QUADRICYCLES Registration and Licensing 16. Mopeds and light quadricycles shall comply with the Two or Three-Wheel Motor Vehicles (EC Type-Approval) Regulations, and with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Regulations. Compliance with Regulations. S.L. 427.54 S.L. 65.11 17.
(1)Mopeds and light quadricycles shall be registered and licensed with the Authority. Vehicle to be registered and/or licensed. Amended by: L.N. 408 of 2007; L.N. 137 of 2018.
(2)Mopeds and light quadricycles shall be covered by a Certificate of Conformity which shall be produced at the time of registration.
(3)No person shall ride or drive on a road a moped or a light quadricycle which is not registered and licensed with the Authority.
(4)Such registration mentioned in subregulation
(1)shall be made against the payment of an eleven euro and sixty-five cents (11.65) administration fee payable to the Authority.
(5)No licence fee shall be payable for mopeds and light quadricycles.
(6)(
- a)The licence for the vehicle shall be carried on the vehicle at all times when the vehicle is in use, parked or otherwise kept at any time in a public place. (
- b)The licence shall be carried in a conspicuous position on the near side of the handlebar in the case of a moped and on the near side of the vehicle in the case of a light quadricycle. 18. No person shall ride a moped or drive a light quadricycle on a road unless he or she has reached the age of eighteen years and is in possession of a valid driving licence (Category A1) issued in c o n f o r m i t y w i t h t h e M o t o r Ve h i c l e s ( D r i v i n g L i c e n c e s ) Regulations. Driving licence required. 19.
(1)No person shall ride or drive, or cause or permit to be ridden or driven, on a road, a moped or a light quadricycle unless it is fitted with plates showing the vehicle’s identification numbers assigned to it by the Authority. Plates required. S.L. 65.18
(2)The said identification numbers shall be placed on the back of the vehicle in the case of mopeds and on the front and back of vehicle in the case of a light quadricycle.
- No moped shall be ridden and no light quadricycle shall be driven on a road unless the vehicle is covered by a third-party insurance in compliance with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Insurance (Third-Party Risks) Ordinance. Vehicle to be insured. Cap.
- Usage
- No person shall ride a moped without wearing a motorcycle helmet, securely fitted and fastened on the rider’s head. Helmet to be worn. 8 [ S.L.65.26 LOW-POWERED VEHICLES AND PEDAL CYCLES Not to be used on footpaths.
- Mopeds and light quadricycles shall not be used on footpaths or promenades. Holding on to other vehicles.
- It is an offence for a person on a moped to hold on to any other vehicle which is in motion or hold on to any person or thing on, in or attached to any such vehicle. Restrictions of carriage of persons. 24.
(1)It is an offence for more than one person to ride, or be carried on, a moped unless the said vehicle is adapted to carry more than one person.
(2)If a person is carried on a moped in contravention of subregulation
(1), each of the persons driving or carried on the moped is guilty of an offence. Part III MOTORISED SCOOTERS Registration Vehicle to be registered. Amended by: L.N. 408 of 2007. 25.
(1)Motorised scooters shall be registered with the Authority.
(2)Such registration mentioned in subregulation
(1)shall be made against the payment of an eleven euro and sixty-five cents (11.65) administration fee payable to the Authority. Usage Motorised scooters not to be used on roads. Amended by: L.N. 408 of 2007. 26.
(1)No person shall ride, or permit to be ridden, a motorized scooter on a road, on footpaths or on promenades.
(2)Motorised scooters may only be used off road and in enclosed private areas.
(3)Any person who shall have been found guilty of a contravention against subregulation
(1)shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa) of not more than fifty-eight euro and twentythree cents (58.23), or the confiscation of the vehicle, or to both such fine and confiscation. Part IV SELF-BALANCING VEHICLES AND VERY LOW-SPEED VEHICLES Substituted by: L.N. 365 of 2012. Compliance with the Cycle and Low-Powered Vehicles Safety Regulations. Registration and usage. Substituted by: L.N. 365 of 2012. 27. (Deleted by Legal Notice 365 of 2012). 28.
(1)Self-balancing vehicles shall be registered with the Authority in terms of regulation 25.
(2)No self-balancing vehicle may be used on the road unless it is fitted with (
- a)a single front lamp showing a white light, positioned centrally or offside and visible from the front; (
- b)a rear lamp showing a red light, positioned centrally or LOW-POWERED VEHICLES AND PEDAL CYCLES [ S.L.65.26 9 offside and visible from behind; and (
- c)a horn or bell designed to give warning of approach.
(3)No person shall ride a self-balancing vehicle on the road unless (
- a)he has reached the age of fourteen years; (
- b)at dark, a white light is clearly visible from a reasonable distance in front of the vehicle and a red light is clearly visible from a reasonable distance behind the driver; (
- c)he is wearing a bicycle helmet made of materials resistant to blows, securely fitted and fastened to the rider’s head.
(4)With the exception of use by members of the police force in the exercise of their duties, self-balancing vehicles may only be used on the road where the road forms part of a "Tour Route" designated by the Authority by means of a notice in the Gazette, which may be subject to additional specific rules for operation.
(5)Very low-speed vehicles, other than a motorised foot scooter, may be used on a road where it is impracticable to travel on a footpath.
(6)Self-balancing vehicles and very low-speed vehicles shall be permitted to travel on a footpath or promenade or within a pedestrian zone at speeds of not more than 6 km per hour.
(7)When travelling along a road, vehicles mentioned in subregulations
(4)and
(5)shall keep as far as to the left side of the road as possible except on the approach to an intersection. Part V GENERAL PROVISIONS 29.
(1)No person shall ride or drive or attempt to ride or drive a low-powered vehicle while he or she is under the influence of drink or medicinals to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle.
(2)A person who contravenes subregulation
(1)shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable, upon conviction for such an offence, to the punishments contemplated in article 15H of the Traffic Regulation Ordinance.
- No person shall ride a low-powered vehicle dangerously or in a reckless manner on a road or in any other public place, or without reasonable consideration to other persons using the road or place. Riding or driving under the influence of drink or drug. Cap.
- Dangerous or reckless riding.