“The electric scooter has changed my daily routine,” says Nikolas, 38, a private sector employee who commutes from Athens’ Larissa Station to Kolonaki. “I used to take the car, metro, or walk, which took 20-25 minutes. Now it only takes 7-8 minutes without traffic or crowded public transport.” Nikolas is one of many Athenians turning to e-scooters to avoid the city’s traffic.
According to the TomTom Traffic Index, the average speed in Athens is just 24 km/h. A 10-kilometer trip typically takes 23 minutes, stretching to 32 minutes during peak hours. As electric scooter use grows in Athens, safety concerns are increasing. Abandoned dockless scooters available to those who download the app on sidewalks and crosswalks also pose a problem.
In Europe, cities like Berlin and Brussels have seen similar increases in e-scooter use, but some, like Paris and Rome, are tightening regulations. Paris recently banned 15,000 shared scooters, while Rome reduced its fleet from 14,500 to 9,000 after complaints.
Athens currently has about 4,000 shared scooters, with usage split 60-40 between tourists and locals, according to Stefanos Nastos, operations manager at Lime.
Under traffic regulations, e-scooters are limited to 25 km/h and can only use urban roads where bicycles are permitted.
‘I don’t worry about traffic anymore’
When it comes to scooters, distinguishing between shared and privately owned models is key to understanding their use. Adam Markakis, co-founder of the urban tech NGO Astylab, notes that shared scooters are mainly used by visitors and often parked randomly, though companies could manage this with geofencing. “In cities without cooperation from local authorities, it’s chaotic,” he says. “Privately owned scooters don’t clutter public spaces, as they’re stored at home or work.”
Dimitris Skiannis, editor in chief of GetElectric.gr, estimates that more than 100,000 electric scooters have been sold in Greece since 2018. Konstantinos Panopoulos from e-patini.gr believes the number is even higher. He explains prices start at 300 euros and rise depending on features, with an average of €500. “Customers used to need guidance; now they come in knowing what they want,” he says.
Nadia, 44, a freelancer in Mets, says her life changed after switching from her car to a scooter. “I don’t worry about traffic or parking anymore,” she says. Odysseas, 23, a student in Pangrati, currently uses shared scooters for his 4-kilometer commute but plans to buy his own soon. “I want more independence, and public transport is exhausting,” he says.
Potholes, poor sidewalks and reckless driving
Many e-scooter users say it’s the best option for short, frequent trips, but safety remains a concern. Athens’ roads pose challenges like potholes, poor sidewalks and reckless drivers. Some, like Giorgos K., 58, a lawyer, have reduced their use due to the risk of accidents. “The scooter helped me move quickly, but drivers don’t notice you and see you as a nuisance,” he says.
A Harvard Medical School report highlights safety tips, including wearing helmets, visible clothing and not riding with a passenger – rules already in Greek traffic laws. Klelia T., 26, a fitness instructor, says following the rules isn’t enough. “I’m cautious, but my careful driving can’t fully protect me from others, so I’ve cut back on using my scooter.”
Shared scooters don’t provide helmets, and fines for phone use while riding range from €40 to €150.
The Harvard report encourages citizens to push local authorities for bike lanes and better infrastructure to improve micromobility safety. Some experts remain skeptical, citing past promises of bike lanes that never materialized.
Lime’s Stefanos Nastos says consultations with municipalities are ongoing, with a focus on scooter parking. Dr Konstantinos Athanasopoulos, a transportation expert, suggests quick solutions can be implemented while waiting for larger infrastructure projects. “Each scooter and bike helps reduce traffic congestion in one of Europe’s most densely populated cities,” he says. “We need to create safer routes with small adjustments.”
Athenians using scooters, motorcycles and walking say city distances are shorter than expected. Expanding micromobility could ease transportation, improve the environment and enhance urban life, but only if infrastructure issues and illegal scooter parking are addressed.
