Benidorm Police Chase E-Scooter Speeding at Over 100 km/h Through Town
A routine evening in one of the Costa Blanca's busiest resort towns took an unexpected turn when officers launched a pursuit of an electric scooter travelling at more than 100 km/h through the heart of Benidorm, according to Olive Press.
The rider was clocked weaving through central streets at speeds normally associated with motorway traffic, prompting local police to give chase. The incident has once again drawn attention to the growing problem of illegally modified e-scooters on Spanish roads, particularly in tourist-heavy zones where pedestrian traffic is dense.
Why This Matters for Visitors
Benidorm remains one of Spain's most visited destinations, and its compact town centre is packed with holidaymakers walking between hotels, beaches, and nightlife strips. Incidents involving high-speed personal mobility devices pose a real safety risk to pedestrians, and Spanish authorities have been steadily tightening the rules around their use.
Under current Spanish regulations, electric scooters are legally capped at 25 km/h. Riders must stay off pavements, are barred from motorways and interurban roads, and can face fines of several hundred euros for speeding, riding under the influence, or using a phone while riding. Helmets are mandatory in many municipalities, and modified scooters that exceed the legal speed limit are treated similarly to unregistered motor vehicles.
Practical Advice for Travellers
If you are visiting Benidorm or other Spanish resort towns and plan to rent an e-scooter:
- Only hire from licensed operators who provide compliant, speed-limited machines.
- Stick to bike lanes and designated roads — riding on pavements can result in on-the-spot fines.
- Carry ID and, if renting, proof of insurance coverage.
- Avoid alcohol before riding; the same drink-driving thresholds apply to scooter users.
Pedestrians should also stay alert, particularly along the seafront promenades and pedestrianised shopping streets where rogue riders occasionally appear despite bans.
The Benidorm chase, as reported by Olive Press, is a reminder that while e-scooters offer a convenient way to get around Spain's resort towns, misuse is being met with an increasingly firm response from local police forces.