Session Profile: Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart

Supports the draft amendment to the Traffic Act concerning the regulation of light personal transporters, small mopeds, and bicycles; emphasizes the importance of safety, public health, and maintaining the orderliness of the Tallinn urban environment, and sees the need for swift implementation and finding a consensual solution. It highlights the role of local governments in acquiring the right to impose restrictions and, keeping urban safety in mind, is prepared to contribute to making clarifications during the second reading. The focus demonstrates unified, practice-based, and relatively strong support, where both security and the organization of the cityscape are crucial.

Utilizes traffic safety data and international comparisons: 422 traffic accidents involving light personal transporters occurred in 2024, 171 of which involved Bolt scooters and 53 involved Tuul scooters; references the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) and the Health Insurance Fund; addresses the necessity of age verification, driver's license checks, and helmet use, and provides examples from Lithuania, Germany, France, and Finland. It presents specific points of the draft bill (restrictions for local municipalities, age and driver's license verification, helmet rental).

The tone, which is both investigative and fact-based, blends with an emotional appeal (focusing on children's health and safety) and a hasty, solution-oriented rhetoric. While occasionally critical and accusatory, the overall aim is to foster cooperation and consensus voting. It utilizes concrete examples and substantive argumentation, often repeatedly drawing attention back to the specific context of Tallinn.

Speeches will take place on the same day (2025-06-04) during the plenary session; the call to vote for and support the draft resolution is reiterated, reference is made to the Tallinn City Council and the discussions held by the committees; the need for swiftness and progress related to the procedure is emphasized, and the potential support for the second reading is discussed.

The opponents appear to be focusing on the inconsistency shown by at least some political parties (such as the Social Democrats on the committee) regarding the draft legislation. Certain parties are being accused of hypocrisy or "two-faced behavior" (supporting the measure in Tallinn while taking opposing positions in the Riigikogu), and the restriction of entrepreneurial freedom is being treated as a potential source of opposition. The overall assessment is that the issue is highly controversial and requires further development and consensus.

Readiness for cooperation and compromise is expressed: emphasis is placed on joint action by the coalition and the opposition, and on making necessary clarifications during the second reading; reference is also made to the consensual support within the Tallinn City Council and the desire for national and local level solutions to advance in tandem.

The main objective and focus are centered on the City of Tallinn and the Tallinn City Council; emphasis is placed on organizing the cityscape, addressing problems occurring near schools and public transport, and the need to regulate the urban space; references are made to appealing to the city government and the city council, and the assessment of the city's situation.

There is ongoing criticism concerning the Climate Ministry's stance, which raises the specter of restricting entrepreneurial freedom. It is stressed that the draft legislation does not ban business outright but rather seeks to strike a balance between public health and enterprise. It is recognized that the regulation could reduce visual pollution in the urban landscape and foster better conditions, although attention is also paid to how companies' marketing activities (e.g., Bolt) influence the network and the market.

The primary emphasis is placed on public health and safety directed specifically at children. Concerns regarding the safety of children and the elderly are highlighted, along with the necessity of preventing serious accidents. The accident involving a 13-year-old girl and other incidents concerning children are mentioned. Furthermore, the importance of wearing a helmet and general safety within the urban environment is stressed.

The agenda includes the amendment of the Traffic Act and the adoption of local draft regulations: restrictions on rented light personal vehicles (e.g., e-scooters) and small mopeds at the local government level; a provision for checking age and driving rights, as well as helmet rental; emphasis is placed on the speed of implementing the changes, adopting the bill by summer, and considering a second reading.