New regulations are coming for self-propelled bicycles, with mandatory insurance requirements set to begin this summer, according to Jānis Abāšins, president of the Latvian Insurers’ Association.
Starting this summer, owners of so-called “self-propelled” or self-driving bicycles will be required to obtain mandatory third-party liability insurance, known as OCTA. Before insurance can be secured, these vehicles must first be registered with the Latvian Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), similar to the existing requirements for electric scooters, which have been insured for the past year. The cost of an OCTA policy for these bicycles will be comparable to that of an electric scooter, Abāšins explained.
The annual cost of an OCTA policy for a self-driving bicycle is expected to be around 20, 30, or 40 euros, depending on the individual, which Abāšins noted “are not mega sums.”
Statistics regarding electric scooters, which have been subject to mandatory OCTA coverage since July of last year, reveal a concerning trend. Of the 24 or 25 accidents involving these scooters in a six-to-seven month period, 6 or 7 occurred without insurance. The average payout for these incidents mirrors that of car accidents, at 1500 euros, with the largest payout reaching 5500 euros. But, when looking at cars, motorcycles, and tractors – vehicle types that have long been required to carry OCTA – approximately 1% of incidents involve uninsured vehicles. In contrast, 20-25% of electric scooter accidents involve uninsured riders, a figure Abāšins described as “very high.”
The Insurers’ Association president emphasized the need for continued public education regarding the insurance requirements for electric scooters. He explained that riders involved in an accident without insurance face a fine from the state for causing the incident.
without OCTA coverage, the state’s Guarantee Fund will cover the damages initially, but will then seek reimbursement from the rider, potentially amounting to sums like 5500 or 2000 euros. “It’s likely cheaper to purchase an OCTA policy for a year for 20, 25, or 30 euros and obtain that protection,” Abāšins warned, “because essentially, it’s protection for yourself if you cause harm to someone.”
