In this article, we’ll take a look at what you can and cannot do while riding a bicycle or electric scooter in Lithuania, the minimum age requirement, when a helmet is mandatory, and the penalties for violations.
From a legal standpoint, a regular bicycle and an electric scooter with a power output of up to 1 kW and a speed limit of up to 25 km/h fall into the same category of non-motorized vehicles, and virtually the same traffic rules apply to both. The difference arises when it comes to more powerful electric scooters: if the power exceeds 1 kW and the speed exceeds 25 km/h, the device is legally classified as a moped and requires registration, a vehicle inspection, liability insurance, and an AM-category driver’s license.
That is why, before buying an electric scooter, you should carefully review its technical specifications—the specific set of rules and documents required depends directly on these specifications.
The main change, which took effect on January 1, 2026, is the mandatory use of a fastened helmet for all riders of electric micromobility vehicles without exception, regardless of age or where they are riding. Previously, helmets were required only for minors or those riding on the roadway—now there are no exceptions for anyone.
In addition, the technical requirements for micro-mobility vehicles have been clarified: a functioning brake, an audible signal, a white headlight, a red taillight, and orange reflectors on the sides are now mandatory.
Individuals who are at least 16 years old have the right to ride an electric micromobility vehicle independently on roadways, bike paths, bike lanes, the shoulder, and residential areas. Teenagers aged 14 and older are permitted to ride on the roadway provided they have completed a special training course established by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sports and hold a certificate issued by their school.
There are no age restrictions within the grounds of a residential building; however, children under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Cyclists are permitted to ride on bike paths, combined pedestrian-bike paths, and bike lanes; if these are not available, they may ride on the shoulder or the far-right lane of the roadway. In residential areas and around apartment buildings, cyclists can ride almost freely, but must yield to pedestrians.
When riding on a bike path or a combined pedestrian-bike path, cyclists must yield to pedestrians and ride in a way that does not obstruct them. When entering the roadway—for example, if there is no bike path or its condition does not allow for safe travel—cyclists must stay as close to the right-hand edge as possible and ride in a single file.
Children aged 8 and older are permitted to ride a bicycle on the roadway only when accompanied by an adult. Children under 8 years of age may ride a bicycle without age restrictions within a residential area or yard, but must also be supervised by an adult.
For cyclists over 18 years of age, wearing a helmet remains a recommendation rather than a mandatory requirement—unlike for users of electric micromobility devices. For cyclists under 18, helmets are mandatory regardless of where they are riding. However, there is ongoing discussion about extending this mandatory requirement to all cyclists without exception, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for possible future changes to the rules.
During hours of darkness or in conditions of poor visibility, a bicycle must be equipped with a white headlight in front and a red taillight in the rear, and the rider is required to wear a reflective vest. Failure to have this equipment is not only dangerous but also constitutes a separate grounds for a fine during a traffic stop.
You may ride an electric scooter independently on roadways, bike paths, bike lanes, the shoulder, and in residential areas starting at age 16. Teenagers aged 14 and older may do so only if they have a certificate of completion for the relevant training course issued by a school.
The preferred routes for electric scooters are bike paths, combined pedestrian-bike paths, and bike lanes. If none of these options are available along the route, riding is permitted on the shoulder or, if there is no shoulder, along the edge of the roadway.
Riding on the sidewalk is permitted only in exceptional cases—when there is no bike path, combined pedestrian-bike path, a bike lane, or a suitable shoulder, or when it is objectively impossible to ride on them, for example, due to potholes or other obstacles.
When riding on the shoulder, a combined pedestrian-bicycle path, or a sidewalk, the electric scooter rider must yield to pedestrians, avoid obstructing them, and not endanger them. When riding near a pedestrian, slow down to the pedestrian’s pace while maintaining a safe distance to the side.
Electric scooters are prohibited from crossing the roadway at active crosswalks—at such locations, the rider must dismount and walk the scooter alongside them, just like a pedestrian. It is also prohibited to ride on highways and other roads where speed limits or traffic volume make the presence of light vehicles unsafe.
Starting January 1, 2026, helmets are mandatory for absolutely all riders of electric micromobility vehicles—regardless of age and regardless of where they are riding: on a bike path, sidewalk, or roadway. Bicycle, roller skate, or motorcycle-style helmets are permitted, provided they are properly worn and fastened.
If an electric scooter is rented through a rental service, the rental operator is responsible for providing a helmet. This applies to all major scooter-sharing operators in Lithuanian cities—they are required to provide customers with a certified helmet of the appropriate size.
When riding on the roadway after dark or in conditions of poor visibility, the rider must wear a reflective vest with reflective elements or ensure that a white light is visible from the front and a red light from the rear. This requirement directly affects how quickly car drivers and other road users will notice you on the road—most serious traffic accidents involving micromobility vehicles occur precisely because of poor visibility at dusk and at night.
It is prohibited to ride a bicycle or electric scooter across a crosswalk—when crossing the roadway at this location, you must dismount and walk your vehicle alongside you, just as a pedestrian would.
In addition to crosswalks, you must dismount in any situation where continuing to ride poses a risk to pedestrians or violates established rules—for example, in areas with large crowds or when entering a zone where non-motorized traffic is expressly prohibited by a relevant traffic sign.
In all areas where a cyclist or electric scooter rider shares space with pedestrians—such as a combined path, the roadside, or, in exceptional cases, a sidewalk—pedestrians always have the right of way. This rule applies regardless of who formally has the right of way at a specific point along the route.
At intersections and bike crossings, cyclists and e-scooter riders must follow the same traffic lights and road signs as other road users. Special attention should be paid to bike crossings across the roadway—even if there are special markings, you must make sure that an approaching vehicle is actually yielding the right of way, rather than simply slowing down.
Using a phone while riding a bicycle or electric scooter is prohibited, just as it is for drivers, and is subject to a fine. Holding your phone in your hand to use navigation or text while riding not only risks a fine but also significantly increases the likelihood of an accident due to loss of concentration.
The legal blood alcohol limit for cyclists and e-scooter riders is 0.4 per mille—the same as for drivers. Exceeding this limit—anywhere from 0.41 to 1.5 per mille—results in a fine of 80 to 150 euros, while a level above 1.5 per mille or refusal to take a sobriety test results in a fine of 150 to 200 euros.
It is important to understand that if an electric scooter is classified as a moped based on its technical specifications (power exceeding 1 kW or a speed exceeding 25 km/h), it is subject to much stricter rules, including a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and a possible suspension of your driver’s license for up to four years.
Carrying an additional passenger on a bicycle or electric scooter that is not designed for such a purpose is prohibited and is one of the most frequently recorded violations, especially among young people, who often ride two-up on a single scooter.
Sudden maneuvers near pedestrians, exceeding the safe speed limit on shared paths and sidewalks, as well as any behavior that forces a pedestrian to yield the right of way or jump out of the way, is considered a violation and may result in penalties, especially if a collision occurs or an emergency situation arises.
Like all other road users, cyclists and electric scooter riders are required to obey traffic light signals and road signs. Running a red light or ignoring a sign prohibiting non-motorized vehicles on a specific stretch of road is cited by the police just as a similar violation by a motorist would be.
Riding on the sidewalk is permitted only when there is no bike lane, combined pedestrian-bike path, bicycle lane, or a suitable shoulder, or when it is objectively impossible to use them—for example, due to roadwork or serious damage to the pavement.
When riding alongside pedestrians on a sidewalk, shoulder, or combined path, the rider must reduce speed to approximately the pace of a pedestrian—roughly 3–7 km/h — and maintain sufficient lateral distance to ensure that passing is safe for both parties.
Even in situations where electric scooters are technically permitted on the sidewalk, pedestrians remain the priority road users in that space. Riders are required to adapt to pedestrians, not the other way around—this rule is explicitly stipulated in current traffic regulations and is actively enforced by the police in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.
Before every longer ride, make sure the braking system is working properly and responds immediately when you apply the brakes. This is especially important after winter storage or a long break in use, when the mechanisms may have become damp or partially malfunctioned.
You should check that your headlight, taillight, and side reflectors are working properly on a regular basis, not just before riding at night—according to current regulations, having working lights is a mandatory requirement, not just a recommendation.
Proper tire pressure directly affects handling and braking distance, especially on wet surfaces. For electric scooters, it’s also worth checking the battery charge level before riding—running out of power while on the road, especially in cold weather when battery capacity decreases more quickly, can create an unpleasant and unsafe situation far from home.
Riding on the road with faulty brakes, missing lights, or a damaged frame not only increases the risk of an accident but also constitutes grounds for a fine during a traffic stop. Saving a few minutes on a pre-trip inspection is no match for the consequences of a potential traffic accident.
Among the most common violations are riding without a required helmet, using a phone while riding, carrying a passenger on a vehicle not designed for one, and failing to yield to pedestrians on shared paths. The police regularly conduct intensive checks of cyclists and scooter riders in city centers and near popular recreational routes, especially during the warmer months.
The fine for riding a bicycle or electric scooter while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of 0.41 to 1.5 per mille ranges from 80 to 150 euros, and for higher blood alcohol levels or refusal to take a test, the fine ranges from 150 to 200 euros. It is important to note that if multiple violations are recorded at the same time—for example, not wearing a helmet, being under the influence, and riding with a passenger—the total fines are added together and can exceed several hundred euros for a single incident.
Parents are responsible for ensuring that their child complies with age restrictions and safety rules when using a bicycle or electric scooter. If a minor is not wearing a helmet, operates a vehicle without completing the required training course, or violates age restrictions, the fine may be imposed specifically on the child’s legal guardian.
Maintaining a sufficient distance from other road users—both behind and to the side—gives you more time to react in case of sudden braking or maneuvering. This is especially important on crowded bike paths during rush hour, when traffic density increases significantly.
Signaling with your hand well in advance of a turn or lane change helps other road users—including cyclists, scooter riders, and drivers—anticipate your next move and reduce the risk of a collision.
Areas near schools, kindergartens, and public transit stops require extra caution: there is a high likelihood that a pedestrian—especially a child—will suddenly step into the path of traffic. In such places, you should slow down in advance, regardless of the formal requirements of road markings.
Wet or icy surfaces significantly increase stopping distance and reduce the maneuverability of both bicycles and electric scooters. In challenging weather conditions, it’s wiser to slow down in advance rather than rely on last-minute reactions.
Before setting out, make sure your brakes are working properly, that your front and rear lights are functioning, that your electric scooter’s battery is sufficiently charged, and that your tires are at the correct pressure.
You should carry a properly fastened, certified helmet and a reflective vest for riding at night or in low-visibility conditions; minors aged 14 to 16 who ride electric scooters must also carry a certificate of completion of a training course.
The main rules to keep in mind on every ride: always yield to pedestrians without exception, dismount at crosswalks, never ride while intoxicated, and never use your phone while riding. Following these simple rules reduces the risk of both accidents and fines if you encounter the police.
The rules for cyclists and e-scooter users in Lithuania have become significantly stricter since the beginning of 2026, and it’s worth familiarizing yourself with them in advance—not after receiving your first fine. Whether the new rules require a suitable certified helmet, a reflective vest, or the bicycle or electric scooter itself, it’s convenient and cost-effective to find everything you need on a classifieds board —there, you can compare offers in the relevant categories for transportation and gear, and you can always post an ad to sell any vehicle you no longer need.
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