The Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management has drafted a resolution outlining a ban on the use of individual mobility devices for pedestrians crossing roads at marked walkways. The goal behind this proposal is to reassess how people with electric scooters and similar devices interact with traditional pedestrian infrastructure. This planned rule aims to clarify which crossings are suitable for such devices and how pedestrians and riders share space in areas designed for foot traffic, with an eye toward improving overall road safety across major urban centers.
Officials indicate that the project will be presented to the government after completion of internal reviews. Details of the plan were communicated in the ministry’s response to a request from a State Duma deputy, and the information was reported by RIA Novosti. The communication emphasizes that the draft resolution is part of a broader effort to harmonize mobility regulations with evolving urban transportation patterns and to provide clearer guidance for both riders and motorists in busy city environments.
Previously, the deputy proposed creating speed reduction zones for electric scooters with a radius of 30 meters around unregulated zebra crossings. The ministry noted that a government decree on this topic has already been prepared, anticipating amendments to the Government Decree of October 23, 1993 No. 1090 On the Rules of the Road. The proposed changes aim to establish explicit speed controls and safe crossing practices near intersections where visibility and pedestrian flow may be uncertain, balancing mobility with protection for all road users.
According to the motion, the recommendation to restrict crossing at zebra crossings for those using portable mobility devices would apply to both regulated and unregulated crossings. The core idea is that riders would dismount at crossings to align with pedestrians, creating a more uniform crossing environment. The ministry expects this approach to reduce accidents involving electric scooters and pedestrians. Yet questions remain about enforcement, since mobility devices often lack visible identification numbers, complicating monitoring and accountability for violations across different jurisdictions and street layouts.
Photo: Kirill Zykov/AGN Moscow