Local officials in Rostov-on-Don consider enforcing an outright prohibition on the leasing of electric automobiles within the city center
Electric Scooters and SIMs Face Regulation Across Russian Cities
Electric scooters and SIMs (Shared Individual Mobility) are becoming subject to increasing regulation across several Russian cities, including Rostov-on-Don, Anapa, Novorossiysk, Sochi, Sirius, Krasnodar, Alexandrovsky Boulevard, and the Stavropol region. These regulations are a combination of federal standards and regional implementations.
At the federal level, electric scooters are limited to a maximum speed of 25 km/h, and personal mobility devices, such as electric skateboards, gyro scooters, segways, and monocycles, are subject to the same speed limit. Scooters must not weigh more than 35 kg on sidewalks and pedestrian paths, and pedestrians have priority. Scooters are allowed on cycle paths, pedestrian-cyclist paths, cycle lanes, and roads with speed limits up to 60 km/h. Riding on pedestrian-only sidewalks is generally regulated to prioritise pedestrians.
Age restrictions for electric scooter use are set at 14 years old, although rental services typically require users to be 18 years or older. Scooters must be parked in designated cycle parking areas, and improper parking can result in fines. Violations such as carrying passengers, speeding, or improper riding may lead to administrative fines.
Since February 2024, Russian regions have been obliged by the Ministry of Transport to design specific paths and parking lots for electric scooters and other personal individual mobility devices. Some cities, like Moscow, use AI-powered traffic cameras to detect scooter violations.
In August 2025, the Russian State Duma proposed introducing a voluntary special insurance product for users of personal mobility equipment, including electric scooters, to cover life, health, and third-party liability. Kicksharing companies are already introducing user rating systems that influence allowed maximum speeds for shared scooters, helping improve safety.
In Rostov-on-Don, discussions are underway to ban the rental of SIMs and implement speed limits in parks, squares, and areas around educational and medical institutions. Proposed restrictions also include prohibiting parking SIMs outside designated areas using alternative technologies without using mobile data and navigation. The authorities in Rostov-on-Don are considering their actions based on the example set by Blagoveshchensk, although no specific details about Blagoveshchensk's regulations are provided. Another meeting will be held with operators in August to formalize a "multilateral agreement on cooperation."
Similar restrictions have been implemented in Anapa, on the embankment of Novorossiysk, in several areas of Sochi and Sirius, in parks in Krasnodar, and on Alexandrovsky Boulevard in the city center. The Department of Transport in Rostov-on-Don is considering a ban on the use of electric scooters and SIMs in the city center. No specific date has been announced for the implementation of these proposed regulations in Rostov-on-Don.
No information is provided about the potential impact of these regulations on the operators of kick-scooter sharing services in the mentioned cities. It is crucial to monitor updates from local municipal authorities and regional traffic departments for detailed city-level bylaws and enforcement details, which may vary in enforcement intensity but remain within the federal regulatory framework.
Smartphone alerts could be a useful tool for electric scooter users in Russian cities, informing them about speed limits, allowed areas, and parking regulations. In the evolution of urban mobility, smartphones and technology can play a significant role in ensuring a safer and more efficient use of personal mobility devices like electric scooters.
With increasing regulations on personal mobility devices such as electric skateboards, gyro scooters, and Segways, smartphone apps could also help users stay informed about age restrictions, fines for violations, and the introduction of special insurance products for these devices. As technology advances, it could help streamline the management and usage of gadgets like smartphones and electric scooters within the framework of the growing mobility landscape.
