Valery Vasiliev, Deputy Chairman of the Economic Policy Committee of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, which oversees transport and road network issues, discussed a controversial idea about sharing the road with electric scooters and other self mobility devices. He suggested that riding these devices side by side should be considered a permissible behavior in some cases, while pointing out that violations could be personally recorded by a traffic officer. The report from the news agency TASS was the source for these comments. In practice this means officials are weighing how to treat simultaneous riding by two people on a single electric scooter or other SIM vehicles, a scenario that raises questions about safety, traffic flow, and enforcement consistency across urban spaces. The central tension appears to be balancing personal mobility with public safety and orderly streets, a challenge facing many large cities that grapple with expanding micro-mobility options while trying to prevent hazardous practices on busy thoroughfares.
According to Vasiliev, there is a growing sense that penalties should be introduced to deter people from riding electric scooters in ways that create hazards, including when two riders share a single device in a way that might complicate control or reduce reaction time for others on the road. The discussion emphasizes the need for penalties comparable to those used when pedestrians violate traffic rules. Policymakers in Russia are considering specific sanctions that would reflect the risk involved when people operate SIM devices in groups within public spaces, with the aim of creating clear legal boundaries that residents and visitors alike can understand. The debate underscores the broader question of how cities should regulate emerging modes of personal transport without stifling innovation or pushing users into unsafe practices to sidestep rules.
“If a 500-ruble fine is to be imposed for driving through the wrong place, this amount must be doubled for driving together,” stated the Senator, highlighting a preference for stronger deterrents when people share a single mobility device in ways that raise safety concerns. The proposal signals an intent to escalate penalties in proportion to the risk posed by the act. It also raises practical questions about how enforcement would work in busy urban environments, what constitutes a wrong place for a scooter travel, and how officers would determine intent or coordination between riders who share a device. The discussion reflects a push to align enforcement with the realities of modern street life where micro-mobility devices are increasingly common, and where the line between everyday convenience and risky behavior can be thin and sometimes ambiguous.
Prior to that, Senator Artem Sheikin, Vice-Chairman of the Digital Economy Development Council of the Federation Council, developed a five step plan aimed at streamlining electric scooter management. The plan emphasizes orderly uptake of SIM devices, four other proposals focus on improving safety practices, rider education, and clear operational standards for public spaces. The framework signals a shift toward structured governance that can help cities adapt to changing mobility patterns while preserving public order. In applying these ideas, policymakers likely explore a set of practical components that would make commuting on micro-mobility devices easier to govern, including standardized age requirements, helmet usage norms, and coordinated rules across different zones in a city. The plan recognizes the importance of clear guidelines that can be understood by riders, pedestrians, and drivers alike, helping to prevent conflicts and misunderstandings on shared streets.
Therefore, the first point of the plan is to consider the possibility of bringing the speed limit to 10 km / h for driving electric scooters in public places and completely prohibiting movement on electric scooters in these areas. The proposal aims to strike a balance between freedom of movement and public safety by setting a conservative cap on speed in places with high foot traffic and vulnerable pedestrians. Advocates of the approach argue that lower speeds reduce the severity of collisions and give riders more time to react to pedestrians or other obstacles. Critics worry about practicality and whether such limits would discourage legitimate use or push riders onto sidewalks or into back streets, complicating the daily commute for people who depend on these devices. The outcome of this debate will likely shape how cities plan infrastructure such as bike lanes, curb space, and urban design features that influence where scooters can operate at safe speeds. The broader takeaway is that speed regulation is an essential tool for integrating SIM devices into public spaces without eroding overall mobility or safety for other road users.
Previously in the State Duma suggested prohibiting the granting of loans to foreign agents.