In discussions about electric scooters in Russia, experts stress that it is premature to impose penalties on riding under the influence. The conversation centered on practical enforcement challenges, with Anton Shaparin, who holds the post of vice president at the National Automobile Association, arguing that any new rule must be feasible to implement. He noted this stance during an interview with the 360 TV channel, emphasizing that enforceability should be the starting point for legislation in this area.
Shaparin argued that the state should pass laws it can actually enforce. While it is possible to ban electric scooters, he warned that simply banning them would not guarantee control over their use. The key, he suggested, lies in registering the scooters themselves. Without a registration system, he warned, authorities would struggle to identify offenders or enforce penalties consistently.
The expert also pointed out that many scooter owners do not comply when policed, and the pursuit often falters once these riders retreat into residential courtyards where law enforcement vehicles cannot easily trail them. He highlighted a particular difficulty in distinguishing private scooters from rental ones, noting that private ownership complicates broad enforcement efforts and increases the risk of evasion in urban environments.
Against this backdrop, the State Duma has drafted two bills aimed at strengthening oversight of personal mobility devices. One proposal involves amendments to the vehicle registration framework, suggesting that electric scooters be assigned numbers through a nationwide registration system linked to government services that should be installed on the devices themselves. The idea is to create traceability that could simplify identification and accountability for riders and owners alike.
Shaparin expressed confidence that such registration would pave the way for clearer regulation and more consistent enforcement. He argued that only with reliable registration could authorities reasonably address issues such as driving scooters while intoxicated, a problem he described as difficult to police under the current regime. The implication was that without a verifiable registry, the enforcement of a ban on alcohol-impaired scooter operation would be almost impossible to achieve in practice.
Meanwhile, the government has shown support for a bill regulating the operation of electric scooters and other personal mobility devices. This proposed legislation contemplates fines reaching up to 30,000 rubles and other penalties for riding electric scooters while intoxicated, in addition to a spectrum of compliance requirements designed to curb unsafe practices in public spaces. The measure signals a shift toward tighter control over how PIMs are used, with an emphasis on safety and accountability across urban mobility networks.
Earlier remarks from Moscow officials reiterated the push to cap speeds for electric scooters and similar devices at 20 km/h. They also proposed restricting usage by minors, with a view to banning children and youths under 18 from operating electric scooters. These recommendations were presented at a session of the Mogor Duma, reflecting a broad concern for safeguarding pedestrians and maintaining orderly traffic conditions in bustling city centers.