News

With the arrival of warmer weather, Jelgava residents are starting to move around more intensively by bicycles and electric scooters. Students also actively use bicycles to get to school and extracurricular activities. The Jelgava municipal police urge parents to discuss traffic rules and safety regulations with their children to ensure responsible participation in road traffic when riding bicycles or e-scooters. Additionally, drivers are encouraged to pay extra attention to vulnerable road users—cyclists and e-scooter riders.

This week, the municipal institution “Pilsētsaimniecība” issued approval to SIA “Bolt Services LV” for the placement and operation of shared mobility vehicles in Jelgava for 2025. Residents using rental transport should be aware of the city’s restrictions regarding parking and speed limits.

Important traffic rules for cyclists and E-Scooter riders

The Jelgava municipal police remind residents that according to the Road Traffic Regulations and the Road Traffic Law, the following rules apply:

• Bicycles and e-scooters must be in good technical condition (wheels, brakes, reflective elements, etc.).
• Individuals aged 10 to 17 may independently ride a bicycle in traffic only if they hold a bicycle license or a driving license of any category. Persons aged 18 and older do not need a license to ride a bicycle.
• Riding an e-scooter is prohibited for individuals under 14 years old. Those 14 years and older may ride an e-scooter only if they hold a bicycle license or a driving license of any category.
• Cyclists under 16 years old must wear a safety helmet while riding.
• E-scooter riders aged 14–17 must wear a safety helmet.
• Before making any maneuver (turning, overtaking, stopping, etc.), riders must give a hand signal in advance.
• Riding under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances is strictly prohibited.
• It is forbidden to ride without holding the handlebars, carry passengers or oversized loads (unless the bicycle or e-scooter is designed for this purpose).
• The maximum speed for e-scooters is 25 km/h.
• When riding on a sidewalk, pedestrians have priority, and riders must adjust their speed to match pedestrian movement.
• It is forbidden for both bicycle and electric scooter drivers to ride on the road in the opposite direction of travel.
• When cycling at night or in poor visibility, bicycles must have:
  • Reflectors on both sides of the wheels
  • A white front reflector and a red rear reflector
  • A white front light and a red rear light
• E-scooters must have brakes, a white front light, and a red rear light while riding.

Rental E-Scooter restrictions

Residents using rental e-scooters should note that parking and speed restrictions apply in the city. According to Municipal regulations No. 24-17 on Shared Mobility Vehicles, rental e-scooters may not be parked:

• On bridges, overpasses, bicycle lanes, or in the middle of pedestrian sidewalks;
• On tactile paving zones (designated for visually impaired pedestrians);
• In a way that obstructs pedestrians or cyclists (at least 1.5 meters of clear space must be left after parking);
• On green areas, ditches, car parking lots, children’s playgrounds, and sports fields;
• In other restricted areas specified on a special city map, available on www.jelgava.lv under “City” → “Society” → “E-Scooter Restriction Zones in Jelgava”.

In speed restriction zones, the maximum permitted speed for rental e-scooters is 10 km/h. Rental service providers operating in Jelgava must ensure that their systems integrate all city-specific restrictions.

Safety first

To enhance safety, riders are advised to wear high-visibility clothing or reflective elements during low-visibility conditions, heavy traffic, or nighttime riding. Jelgava Municipal Police encourage responsible cycling and e-scooter use to ensure the safety of all road users. Compliance checks are conducted by both the Jelgava Municipal Police and the State Police.