Almost 99% of self-propelled bicycle owners have purchased MTPL insurance
Latvian Motor Insurers' Bureau (hereinafter – LTAB) informs that from May 1 of this year, when the regulatory framework came into force, which requires OCTA insurance for self-propelled bicycles, to this moment, 98,92% of owners of these vehicles have purchased OCTA insurance. At the same time LTAB The information available shows that in less than two months, not a single traffic accident caused by a self-propelled bicycle driver has been registered.
The changes to the law, which came into force on May 1, provide that OCTA insurance purchased for a self-propelled bicycle covers damages caused by it to third parties, for example, another vehicle, pedestrian, third party property, belongings or the surrounding environment. “At the moment, we can say that OCTA insurance has been purchased by almost all registered owners of self-propelled bicycles. This confirms that an increasing number of owners of micromobility tools are aware of the need for OCTA and are insuring their vehicles, thus reducing the possible losses that may occur due to an uninsured vehicle causing a road traffic accident (hereinafter – RTSA),” says LTAB Chairman of the Board Jānis Abāšins.
LTAB informs that July 1 will mark a year since mandatory civil liability insurance was introduced for owners of electric scooters. “Currently, 80,10% of electric scooter owners – mainly legal entities – have purchased OCTA, which shows that the owners of these vehicles have not been as conscientious as the owners of self-propelled bicycles,” explains J. Abāšins, adding that in 12 months, 26 RTAs have been reported to insurers, which were caused by the driver of an electric scooter.
Electric scooters and self-propelled bicycles are a very popular means of transportation, especially in the warmer months. Such vehicles can reach speeds of up to 25 km/h, and in the event of a road accident, the losses can be significant, especially if a pedestrian is injured in the collision. LTAB The statistics collected show that the largest compensation for damages currently paid out for a traffic accident caused by an electric scooter driver is EUR 5433,14. A self-propelled bicycle is a vehicle with a built-in electric motor that can move without pedaling. This feature distinguishes self-propelled bicycles from electric bicycles, which operate only when pedaling and whose electric drive is switched off when the pedals are stopped. An electric scooter is a vehicle equipped with an electric motor without pedals. According to the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), there are currently approximately 35400 electric scooters and 1500 self-propelled bicycles registered in Latvia.