Organizing Safety Training for Electric Scooters in Russia
There is a push to introduce short training sessions in Russian educational institutions to teach young people how to use electric scooters safely. The initiative comes from Mikhail Vetrov, who serves as President of the Association of Manufacturers of Products, Works and Services for Children. He forwarded his proposal to Sergei Kravtsov, the head of the Ministry of Education, and RT reported on the development with a copy of the document attached.
Vetrov notes that students across schools, universities, and colleges frequently travel by scooter. With spring bringing more rental points to urban streets, he argues that educating young riders about safe practices could help reduce scooter-related accidents. The focus is on raising awareness of the potential consequences of unsafe use and the importance of following traffic rules from an early age.
The social activist asked the Ministry of Education to incorporate appropriate lessons into curricula so students learn how to ride scooters responsibly and without creating dangerous situations on public roads. This proposal aligns with ongoing public discussion about personal mobility devices and road safety, especially as cities expand options for micro-mobility and commuters seek quick, flexible travel methods.
In Russia, legislation exists in draft form to regulate the movement of electric scooters and other personal mobility devices. The draft bill includes sanctions such as fines up to thirty thousand rubles for riding a scooter while intoxicated. However, industry experts have offered critiques of the document, calling for clearer guidelines and practical enforcement measures that protect both riders and other road users.
There have also been real incidents illustrating the risks associated with scooter use. A recent case involved a Russian woman who required hospitalization after colliding with a courier riding a scooter. This incident underscores the necessity of comprehensive safety education and stricter adherence to traffic laws among all riders and pedestrians sharing the road space.
Experts emphasize that safety education should cover not only basic riding techniques but also situational awareness, protective gear, and the responsibilities of scooter operators to respect pedestrians and other vehicles. Building a culture of careful and predictable behavior on streets can help integrate personal mobility devices into urban life without increasing danger to others.