A draft measure from Russia’s Ministry of Transport outlines a plan to formally register personal mobility devices such as electric scooters and electric bicycles. The document appeared on the country’s regulatory portal that hosts public oversight documents and legal agreements. The central idea is a nationwide registry for these devices, enabling verification of ownership and monitoring of usage across cities. The proposal seeks to create a streamlined framework that could influence how urban areas enforce traffic rules and how individuals and businesses manage mobility equipment.
Under the draft, every device would receive a SIM-like identifier that must be entered into a new federal register within ten days of purchase. The rollout is planned to begin on September 1, 2026. Owners would obtain a registration card that resembles a license plate, along with a registration tag. The tag is a QR code linked directly to the device’s official record, offering a quick digital pathway to ownership and history data when scanned. The approach is intended to simplify enforcement and give authorities immediate access to essential device information in the field.
The document also states that anyone already possessing a SIM card tied to a mobility device must complete registration by March 1, 2027. The staggered timeline is meant to give current owners time to comply while establishing the new data framework for future transactions and transfers of devices.
Supporters say these steps aim to cut traffic violations and improve road safety. By creating a verifiable registry, authorities believe they can more easily determine who is responsible for a device at any moment, observe usage patterns, and deter unsafe or illegal activity. The goal is to assign accountability to riders and to operators who run mobility services, ensuring clearer lines of responsibility and more predictable enforcement.
Reports note that kick-sharing services began operating in Moscow, accompanied by higher penalties for minors using electric scooters. The proposed rules address concerns about transferring control of mobility devices to younger users, a practice officials say can undermine safety and accountability. The framework is designed to prevent unauthorized handoffs and ensure users meet any age or licensing requirements before riding a device in public spaces.
To detect violations, authorities rely on visual evidence from surveillance cameras installed across major urban areas. Since spring, independent contractors and freelancers working with ride-sharing platforms have contributed to monitoring activity, helping to build a broader data pool that informs enforcement decisions. The growing integration of field observations and data analysis aims to provide a clearer picture of how devices are used, where violations occur, and how enforcement resources are allocated most effectively.
Recent street incidents have highlighted safety concerns in busy city environments. A number of events have shown how quickly a ride can become dangerous if a rider loses control or fails to follow relevant rules. These occurrences have encouraged policymakers to pursue tighter registration, better traceability, and stronger accountability for riders and operators. The plan reflects a broader push toward transparency in how mobility devices are sold, registered, and managed in dense urban settings, with an emphasis on reducing risk and ensuring the system can be audited and improved over time.
When framing the policy, supporters emphasize that a robust registration regime would enable rapid responses to incidents, support lawful transfers of ownership, and allow safer, more predictable operation of mobility devices in public spaces. Critics may raise concerns about privacy, the burden of compliance on everyday users, and the practicality of implementing a nationwide register in a fast-changing market. Still, the central factor cited by the ministry remains the safety and accountability of urban mobility, especially as cities expand and rely on shared devices to meet transportation needs. This ongoing policy discussion mirrors a broader trend toward digital registries and traceability in modern urban life, where technology is used to balance convenience with public safety and regulatory clarity.