The Automobile Club of Portugal (ACP) has collected approximately 20,000 signatures from Lisbon residents in support of a municipal referendum on the future of shared e-scooters in the city. The petition, which required only 5,000 valid signatures, will now be formally presented to the Lisbon Municipal Assembly (AML). This marks the beginning of the process for holding a municipal referendum. According to the ACP, the number of signatures reflects the mobilization of Lisbon residents around an issue that impacts mobility, safety, accessibility, and use of public spaces.
The ACP began collecting signatures in early August among its members and later expanded the effort to various locations throughout Lisbon. The club aims to promote a debate on Lisbon's urban mobility model and ensure that a decision affecting thousands of people is made by the citizens themselves. The ACP has expressed concerns about the challenges posed by shared e-scooters, including road safety, pedestrian accessibility, sidewalk occupation, and public space management.
The petition will now be reviewed by the AML, with an initial verification of legal requirements by the assembly's president. A commission will then analyze the proposal within 15 days and present a report. The proposal will subsequently be put to a vote in the AML plenary session, which will decide whether to hold a referendum. If approved, the decision will be sent to the Constitutional Court for verification of its constitutionality and legality.
If the Constitutional Court gives a favorable decision, Lisbon residents will be called upon to vote in a municipal referendum on the future of the approximately 6,000 shared e-scooters currently operating in the city. The ACP has been alerting authorities to the challenges posed by these e-scooters, which go beyond mobility issues and also concern urban management and quality of life.
The ACP's initiative aims to give Lisbon residents a say in the city's mobility model and ensure that their concerns are taken into account. The club believes that a referendum will provide a platform for citizens to express their opinions on the use of shared e-scooters and their impact on the city. This move comes amid growing concerns about the safety and accessibility of public spaces in Lisbon.
The Lisbon Municipal Assembly will play a crucial role in determining the next steps for the petition. If the proposal is approved, it will be sent to the Constitutional Court for verification. The court's decision will ultimately determine whether a referendum will be held. The ACP's effort to collect signatures demonstrates the level of interest among Lisbon residents in shaping the city's mobility policies.
The outcome of the petition and potential referendum will have significant implications for the future of shared e-scooters in Lisbon. If a referendum is held and residents vote to restrict or ban shared e-scooters, it could lead to changes in the city's mobility landscape. Conversely, if residents choose to continue with the current arrangement, it would indicate support for the existing e-scooter sharing system.
Key points
- The ACP collected 20,000 signatures from Lisbon residents in support of a municipal referendum on shared e-scooters.
- The petition will be reviewed by the Lisbon Municipal Assembly, with a decision on whether to hold a referendum expected soon.
- The outcome of the petition and potential referendum will determine the future of shared e-scooters in Lisbon.
