📋 Tender Overview
On November 6, the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia approved the amendments to the Road Traffic Law (CSL) in the 3rd reading. The CSL amendments added between the readings of the Saeima stipulate that, depending on the technical parameters of the two-wheeled vehicle, bicycle-like vehicles are divided into three groups with different regulations for participation in traffic. The aim of the changes is to promote safe micro-mobility, especially for the least protected road users - pedestrians. Also, the amendments to the CSL provide that the service providers of all ride-sharing vehicles will have to ensure the verification of the service users age, the existence of a driving license and the ability to react. I am pleased that the changes in the law have finally been adopted. The new regulations bring clarity and common understanding to all road users and will definitely improve safety on the sidewalks. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in the development of the new regulation! Meaningful and important work done. At the same time, I would like to emphasize that regulation alone is not enough, because safe road traffic is largely the responsibility of all of us. Therefore, I call on young people, their parents and society in general - seriously treat your own safety and the safety of others on the roads, emphasizes the Minister of Transport Atis Svinka. Until now, the CSL has a single definition for all bicycles with a power of up to 1 kW and a maximum speed of up to 25 km/h with the help of an electric drive. In order to improve road safety, depending on the technical parameters of bicycles, they are divided into three groups. For each group, after evaluating the technical parameters and potential risks, CSL sets a different regulation. The first group - a bicycle that is powered only by muscle power (pedals or levers). Regarding bicycles, there are no changes to the CSL and the regulation established until now is in effect. You can participate in traffic from the age of 10, you must have a bicycle license, until the age of 16 you must wear a protective helmet and you can also move on the sidewalks with a bicycle. It is recommended to register bicycles, as this will help recover the vehicle in case of theft. The second group - electric bicycles (a new term) can be equipped with an additional electric drive, the power of which is up to 250 W, and it also switches off when the speed exceeds 25 km/h, so the electric motor only helps when pedaling. Other conditions for CSL are the same as for bicycles, incl. compulsory use of a protective helmet until the age of 16 and the right to use a bicycle. The only difference is that such vehicles can be used in traffic from the age of 14. Registration of e-bikes is also voluntary. The third group - self-propelled bicycles (a new term) with a power of up to 1 kW and a maximum speed of up to 25 km/h, but these vehicles do not need to pedal all the time to move - the electric drive works even if the pedals are not pushed forward by muscle power. It is planned that such vehicles will not be allowed to move on the sidewalk and from February 1, 2026, they will have mandatory registration, as well as OCTA. Those aged 14 and up can participate in traffic with such vehicles, until the age of 16 it is mandatory to wear a protective helmet. It is planned that from May 1, 2026, a fine will be imposed for driving with an unregistered vehicle and the absence of an OCTA, in addition, the municipal police will also be able to do so. Also, in order to improve traffic safety, the CSL stipulates that for the use of all shared vehicles, including cars, service providers will have to provide reaction tests and verification of the existence of the right to drive a vehicle of the relevant category before providing the service. The service provider of shared vehicles will have the obligation to perform a test of the service recipients (riders) reaction abilities to control the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances before receiving the service in the application. Thus, a system will be introduced that will make sure that drivers do not use rental vehicles if they are under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances, which prevents them from taking the relevant test in the application. The solution will be integrated into the application of the rental service provider - for example, before receiving the services (starting the trip), you will have to complete a logic and reaction test, which a person under the influence of intoxicating substances might not be able to perform. Taking into account that the implementation of such a solution requires the conversion of existing rental service providers applications, the proposal envisages that the mentioned norm would enter into force on April 1, 2026. Also, the MoU has developed and handed over to the ministries involved in the coordination amendments to the Road Traffic Regulations (CSN) regarding mandatory OCTA for various other vehicles - sports and recreational equipment, for example, unicycles, skateboards, etc. micromobility tools. Amendments to the CSN are also intended for the inclusion of self-propelled bicycles in general road traffic.
