A government plan in Russia has been approved to tighten control over the use of electric scooters and other personal mobility devices. Reports from Kommersant describe a formal roadmap implemented by the cabinet to regulate the growth of SIM, a category encompassing these devices. The plan spans 27 articles and is set to roll out during 2023 through 2025, signaling a significant shift in how personal mobility is monitored and governed in the country.
Under the new rules, electric scooter users may be required to stop for a medical check at the request of officers from the State Traffic Inspectorate. The traffic regulations will introduce clear rules on stopping and parking for SIM vehicles, along with new road signs designating designated parking areas for electric scooters. Additional mechanisms for tracking the activity of SIMs will be explained, including the possible use of traffic cameras to monitor movement. Owners will be obliged to register their devices in a newly established federal registry. Penalties for SIM violations are expected to rise, with current fines for electric scooter operators capping at 1,500 rubles and anticipated increases as enforcement intensifies.
Earlier discussions in the Federation Council included a bill that would raise penalties for drunk driving involving SIMs. Senators proposed amending the Administrative Offenses Code to set fines in a broader range, with maximum penalties around 30,000 rubles and minimum penalties near 20,000 rubles, subject to legislative approval.
In the State Duma, there is consideration of implementing an insurance framework for electric scooters modeled after OSAGO. MPs emphasize that Russia does not currently provide financial liability coverage for SIM users who are found responsible for accidents, highlighting the need for a formal insurance mechanism to address at-fault incidents.
Earlier reports from St. Petersburg noted a three-year ban on scooter rentals, illustrating the spectrum of regulatory approaches tested in different regions and the broader intent to shape city mobility through formal oversight.