Russia is set to introduce new traffic rules on March 1 that will affect owners of electric scooters and other personal mobility devices. The information was shared with the media by Sergey Savelyev, a lawyer with the Eurasian Law Society Senator, who explained the upcoming changes and their practical implications for street use and road safety. The reform signals a shift in how urban travelers move around the country and places a stronger emphasis on pedestrian safety for all non-traditional vehicles.
The updated SDA will define a new category known as an individual mobility vehicle, or SIM for short. This umbrella term covers electric scooters, electric skateboards, gyro scooters, Segways, and unicycles among others. By creating a single category, regulators aim to standardize rules that previously varied across different types of personal transport. The pace of these vehicles on public roads will be capped at 25 kilometers per hour, with the actual speed determined by considerations of pedestrian safety and the need to share sidewalks and crosswalks without compromising vulnerable users. This is a clear move toward harmonizing speed with urban infrastructure and ensuring predictable behavior from riders in crowded areas.
In addition to speed limits, the March 1 reforms introduce new traffic signs designed to govern where SIMs may travel. Among them are signs indicating that buses have a separate lane or right of way and, conversely, signs that restrict movement for individual mobility vehicles. The intent is to reduce conflicts between traditional motor vehicles and new mobility options while maintaining clear, instantly recognizable guidance for drivers, riders, and pedestrians. A third sign focuses on the growing role of electric charging infrastructure, signaling zones where charging behavior and related activities may take place under specific conditions. These signs are part of a broader effort to integrate personal mobility devices into existing road networks with less friction and greater clarity for all road users.
Parking rules are being refined as well. The plan specifies a visual distinction between paid and free parking areas through blue and white lane markings. It also places new restrictions on stopping and parking on guide islands and security islands, reinforcing the need to keep these features clear for safety and traffic flow. The overall aim is to create a more predictable parking landscape that helps drivers and riders plan their movements while preserving access for emergency and public services.
Savelyev emphasized that from the start of March, authorities will have expanded authority to stop vehicles with a gross weight of 3.5 tons or more in any location that bears a customs checkpoint designation. At present, such checks occur primarily within border control zones, limiting enforcement to those specific areas. The updated provision broadens enforcement reach and signals a tighter control regime at points of entry and exit and on major routes that intersect border zones. For stakeholders, this means a heightened need to ensure compliance with all customs or weight-related requirements, especially when operating fleets or commercial vehicles that may intermittently carry SIM-adjacent cargo or equipment.
These changes arrive after prior reports noted that vehicle inspection costs in Russia would rise in 2023, a factor that continues to influence how operators budget for compliance, maintenance, and overall fleet management. In practice, the March 1 reforms will require owners and operators to review their current configurations, ensure vehicles meet the defined weight and speed criteria, and train riders and drivers to respect new signs and zone restrictions. The move illustrates a broader government intent to modernize urban mobility while preserving road safety for pedestrians and other travelers, a balance that invites ongoing monitoring and possible adjustments as real-world conditions emerge. [Source attribution: Eurasian Law Society Senator, as reported to the press]