A proposed bill in Russia aims to set more explicit penalties for electric scooters and other personal mobility devices (PIMs) including bicycles and their riders. The measure was submitted to the State Duma and is being analyzed with input from lawmakers. The authors, including Artem Sheikin, a member of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State-Building, emphasize the need for clear sanctions to improve road safety for all users of personal mobility devices (PIMs). This context emerges as authorities seek to address rising incidents involving these devices on public roads and sidewalks.
The core penalties outlined in the bill include a fine of up to 30,000 rubles for speeding while using a SIM and a separate fine of up to 5,000 rubles for drunk driving on a scooter, as well as penalties for refusing a medical examination. The legislation also specifies fines for several other scenarios: up to 3,000 rubles for the simultaneous use of an electric scooter by multiple people, up to 5,000 rubles for transporting children on a scooter, and up to 5,000 rubles for leaving the scene of an accident by a SIM operator. These provisions aim to deter unsafe conduct and ensure accountability across all PIM users.
Responding to concerns about equity on the road, the bill notes that penalties for drunk driving will not be increased for cyclists who use PIMs, a point that reflects earlier debates within the same legislative framework. Current sanctions against drunken cyclists will be maintained, with fines ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 rubles. The document also proposes raising the penalty to 4,000 to 5,000 rubles for cyclists who leave the scene of an incident, aligning consequences with other PIM users while maintaining proportional responses for different modes of transport.
On April 15, government officials reviewed the bill and offered comments in support of treating electric scooters as potential violators of traffic rules. A key proposal is linking the punishment level to the degree of social harm caused by the offense. The council clarified that the new rules would apply not only to electric scooter riders but also to other personal mobility devices, and acknowledged that some measures would also touch cyclists. The government agency stressed that issues related to the documentation of offenses and their enforcement should be resolved within the broader legal framework.
Additionally, from May 1 onward, St. Petersburg reported the deployment of foot inspectors and road-monitoring vehicles equipped with photo-video recording systems. These measures are intended to identify traffic violations committed by electric scooter and other SIM users, providing a more rigorous framework for enforcing the new penalties. This development illustrates a broader shift toward formalizing rules for PIM use in urban settings and underscores the push for consistent enforcement across regions.
Earlier reporting indicated there were discussions about restricting scooter drivers from accessing certain lanes or road segments in the Russian Federation. The ongoing debate centers on balancing mobility convenience with safety, especially in mixed-traffic scenarios where pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicles share limited space. The proposed legislation signals a move toward standardized rules that cover how PIMs interact with traditional traffic, aiming to reduce risk while maintaining accessibility for urban commuters. This approach reflects a wider trend in many countries grappling with rapid adoption of personal mobility technologies and the need for clear, enforceable standards that protect all road users.