A proposed law in St. Petersburg would pause the use of kick-share electric scooters for three years. The bill has been submitted to the Legislative Assembly and signals a deliberate break in the rollout of shared electric scooter services. The move responds to concerns about safety, traffic balance in urban areas, and gaps in regulation that have let scooter use grow quickly without a clear national framework.
The measure’s sponsor—a senior figure from the LDPR faction and Deputy Speaker of Parliament—argues that current rules leave most violations unpunished because the law lacks a formal registration requirement for these devices. Without registration, police enforcement would face significant hurdles. The three-year pause is intended to buy time to design a strong legal framework for the scooter-sharing sector, test safety measures, set age limits, and outline operating zones. Proponents contend that halting scooter use could lead to fewer traffic incidents and safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
A broader national and regional debate on transport policy is playing out over whether electric scooters should be treated more like motor vehicles or as lightweight personal mobility devices. In discussions across Russia, officials have floated the possibility of fines for carrying a passenger on a scooter not designed for two riders. Current traffic rules generally prohibit carrying passengers on devices not built for them unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise. This potential adjustment aims to raise safety standards and reduce the risk of injuries during urban commutes.
Earlier reporting suggested that the upper chamber of parliament is finalizing a version of the proposal that would impose fines on operating an electric scooter or a bicycle while intoxicated. The proposed penalties would reflect the seriousness of impaired riding and its threat to other road users, with the aim of deterring conduct that endangers people on busy city streets. [Citation: Russian transport policy updates, official records, and regional news coverage]
In this context, officials emphasize the need for clear registration regimes, defined zones for operation, and robust oversight mechanisms to keep pace with evolving mobility patterns in major cities. The St. Petersburg proposal illustrates a broader pattern of experimentation with regulatory tools that can either catalyze safer urban mobility or slow innovation while concerns about safety, liability, and urban space are addressed. Observers note that a three-year pause would also offer a chance to evaluate how a future framework handles enforcement, insurance, and consumer protections, alongside data collection on usage levels and accident trends. [Source attribution: city planning departments and transportation councils]
Supporters of the pause argue that it creates a stability window for stakeholders to align safety standards with public expectations. Critics, however, warn that a prolonged halt could curb the benefits associated with micro-mobility options, such as reduced congestion and lower emissions. They call for targeted regulations instead of a blanket ban, suggesting pilot programs, standardized design requirements, and clearer guidelines for rider behavior. The outcome of the St. Petersburg proposal could influence similar debates in other regions as lawmakers weigh how best to balance accessibility with safety in crowded urban environments. [Reference: regional policy briefings and municipal transportation commissions]