They are part of the category of micro-vehicles and their speed can reach up to 25 km/h. These single wheelers have been given practically the same status as bicycles and must therefore be used either on public roads or bicycle lanes. The rules have generally been welcomed by users.
At the beginning of March, Minister for Mobility François Bausch presented the latest additions to the "micro-mobility" regulations. These provisions include the 'micro electric vehicle' and the 'personal mobility device'.
The former includes, among others, electric single wheels, hoverboards, and electric scooters. It is defined as a "small road vehicle with at least one wheel, with or without a seat, designed for the movement of one person" and capable of travelling between 6 and 25 km/h thanks to a motor with a maximum power of 0.25 kW.
They are treated similarly to bicycles and must thus be used only on bicycle lanes or public roads. The vehicles must feature permanent white and red lights as well as a bell. The highway code states that "the lighting must be on during the day and at night and must not flash or dazzle".
The second refers to any "small non-electric device with wheels attached to the feet or comprising a board, whether or not fitted with handlebars, used as a means of transport". This includes skateboards, children's bicycles, non-electric scooters, roller skates, etc. It also includes objects for children to move around on, whether electric or not, that do not exceed 6 km/h.
They are treated in the same way as pedestrians and can thus be used on the pavement. No special equipment is required, unlike the electric micro-vehicle.
In three years, Fabien Bourgatte has already travelled more than 30,000 kilometres on a monowheel and has even travelled from Luxembourg City all the way to Brussels on his vehicle. He spoke with RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg and stated that he welcomes the new legislation, as it was time for the micro-vehicles and their users to get out of the legal grey area they had been in for the past years.
The full report in Luxembourgish:
