Electric scooters and other personal electric transporters capable of travelling above 25km/h will be confiscated in Gibraltar from  May 18 under new government regulations aimed at tightening road safety rules.

The measures form part of Gibraltar’s first formal framework regulating Personal Light Electric Transporters (PLETs), a category that includes electric scooters and similar battery-powered vehicles increasingly used for commuting across the territory and nearby areas of southern Spain.

New enforcement powers introduced

Under the new rules, Gibraltar authorities will be able to stop and inspect electric scooters using mobile speed detection equipment. Any scooter found travelling above 25km/h, or modified to exceed that speed, may be seized by enforcement officers.

The Gibraltar Government said vehicles capable of travelling faster than the legal limit will no longer qualify as PLETs under local regulations. Owners will only be able to recover confiscated scooters once the vehicle has been altered to comply with the law or formally registered as an electric vehicle through Gibraltar’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Department.

The measures were announced as part of a broader effort to regulate the growing use of electric transport devices on Gibraltar’s roads and public spaces. Officials have raised concerns over safety risks involving pedestrians, road users and riders themselves, particularly in busy areas with high traffic levels.

Rules will affect daily cross-border commuters

The changes are expected to affect many workers and residents who cross daily between La Línea de la Concepción and Gibraltar using electric scooters. Thousands of people travel across the border each day for work, with scooters becoming a popular alternative to cars due to congestion and limited parking inside Gibraltar.

For those commuting from Spain into Gibraltar, the new regulations mean scooters must comply with Gibraltar’s speed restrictions even if they were legally purchased or used elsewhere. Riders entering Gibraltar on modified scooters or high-speed models risk having the vehicle confiscated once inside the territory.

The regulations apply within Gibraltar regardless of where the scooter is registered or purchased. This means some commuters who use scooters legally on the Spanish side of the border may still face enforcement action after crossing into Gibraltar if their vehicle exceeds the permitted speed limit.

Helmet and insurance rules also under review

The Gibraltar Government has indicated that additional regulations may follow in later stages of the legislative process. Authorities are examining whether further requirements, including compulsory insurance, registration systems and helmet use, should apply to electric scooter riders in future.

At present, the newly announced measures focus mainly on speed restrictions and vehicle classification. Officials say the intention is to establish clear rules before the number of electric scooters on Gibraltar’s roads continues to rise further. Mobile enforcement equipment will be used to identify scooters exceeding legal limits, although the government has not yet detailed how frequently checks will take place or whether they will be concentrated near the border crossing area.

Growing use of electric scooters across the region

Electric scooters have become increasingly common throughout Gibraltar and the Campo de Gibraltar region over recent years. Many cross-border workers rely on them for short journeys between transport hubs, workplaces and residential areas.However, the rapid growth in scooter use has also led to concerns over speeding, pavement riding and collisions involving pedestrians. Similar restrictions have already been introduced in several European countries and Spanish municipalities, where local authorities have imposed speed limits and technical requirements on electric scooters.

In Spain, national traffic regulations already set a maximum speed of 25km/h for electric scooters classed as personal mobility vehicles. Scooters capable of exceeding that limit are generally prohibited from public roads unless approved under different vehicle categories. Gibraltar’s new regulations therefore bring local rules more closely in line with existing Spanish standards, although enforcement procedures may differ.

What riders need to know before crossing into Gibraltar

People travelling into Gibraltar on electric scooters are now being advised to check the technical specifications of their vehicle before crossing the border. Riders using modified scooters or models capable of speeds above 25km/h could face confiscation even if they are not actively travelling above the limit at the time of inspection.

Commuters may also need to ensure any speed-limiting software installed on their scooters cannot easily be overridden, as authorities are expected to examine whether vehicles are capable of exceeding legal limits rather than simply monitoring riding speed alone.

The regulations are scheduled to come into force on May 18. Gibraltar authorities have said the measures are intended to improve public safety and establish clearer legal standards for electric transport vehicles operating within the territory.

Music and laughter filled the Alhaurin Golf Clubhouse last Saturday evening during a special fundraiser organised by the TAPAS Choir. Guests experienced wonderful heartwarming performances as part of the Singing into Summer celebration. Everyone celebrated the occasion on May 9 to benefit two local charities – Donkey Dreamland and Age Care.

Guitarist and singer Dave Lewis got everyone on their feet dancing with timeless rock classics late into the evening. Expresso Doble brought additional musical delight, drawing from their connections as two-fifths of the Stolen Gnomes and two-thirds of the Whisky Piskys. Talented host Leon Patras maintained a lively atmosphere from start to finish with his engaging, and energetic charms. Proceeds went directly to Donkey Dreamland and Age Care.

Established group provides community for Guadalhorce expats

Members of this popular choir have gathered regularly for more than twenty years now. Multinational expats from at least 8 different countries living in the Guadalhorce Valley area created the group to encourage friendships and keep busy, especially in retirement years. Activities extend far past singing sessions into diverse interests that appeal to many different personalities. Theatre play readings offer creative outlets for participants who enjoy dramatic arts. Mediterranean gardening sessions attract nature enthusiasts keen to learn local techniques. Gentle walking groups promote healthy outdoor time in pleasant surroundings. Dancing classes bring rhythm and enjoyment to weekly meetings for all skill levels.

Expats discover support and fun

Participants view TAPAS as more than a choir or singing group. This organisation serves as a family for expats residing in southern Spain. Opportunities arise to meet interesting people from varied backgrounds through regular social gatherings and shared experiences. Everyone benefits from staying active and connected within the group while building lasting relationships in a supportive environment that feels like home away from home.

Contact TAPAS Choir for details on joining events

Phone calls to 711 088 767 provide information about future activities and how to get involved in this warm and welcoming community. Recent success at Alhaurin Golf goes to show strong community ties among local expats in the Guadalhorce and Mijas areas who value such connections and look forward to more events like this. Find TAPAS at tapassociety.com

Nursing staff in Malaga are to receive martial arts training in karate and kendo after the city’s Official College of Nursing warned of a steep rise in violence against healthcare professionals. College president Jose Miguel Carrasco, said that figure represents only “the tip of the iceberg”. The move comes after a nurse who visited a patient’s home, was cornered by the family and prevented from leaving, and found herself in a room containing various bladed weapons

Attacks on nurses in Malaga a rise in cases

Data from the Andalusian Health Service confirmed that 310 attacks on health workers were recorded in Malaga in 2025, 244 verbal and 66 physical.The province now ranks third in Spain for violence against nursing staff, sitting behind only Madrid and Seville. An attack on nursing staff is now being recorded every 15 days in 2026. 

Frontline nurses working in home visits across rural areas and coastal towns are considered particularly exposed, as they often work alone without security support.

What can the nurses do to protect themselves

The nurses must report any incident of aggression, however minor. Carrasco stresses that under-reporting is masking the true scale of the problem.

He explains that the rise in reported attacks isn’t necessarily because people are becoming more violent, rather, it’s because staff are getting better at documenting them. He notes, “We have encouraged professionals to realize that reporting these incidents is essential.”

To address the issue, the college investigates every incident individually. They look at the specific details to figure out exactly where the conflict started and how it could have been stopped or calmed down earlier.

Contact the college’s 24-hour helpline for immediate guidance, legal advice or psychological support after an incident.

Karate, kendo and self-defence, What the Malaga nursing course actually covers

Carrasco is careful to stress that the course is not designed to replace specialist containment teams already operating in hospitals. Rather, it offers basic defensive awareness, practical knowledge drawn from karate and kendo disciplines that nurses can use to protect themselves in both professional and personal settings.  “We have to give them tools to watch over their lives,” he said. “We have reached that point.”