New rule in Russia: scooters will not accelerate above 20 km/h

Since April, a new speed limit for electric scooters has come into force in Russia: now the maximum allowed speed is 20 km/h. This rule has already started to be applied by the largest kicksharing operators – Yandex Go, MTS Yrent and Whoosh. The initiative aims to improve pedestrian safety and reduce dangerous maneuvers in pedestrian zones, they said.

The new limit was 20% lower than the maximum allowable speed for personal mobility equipment (PME) set by the current traffic rules.

Smart scooters won’t let you break the rules

Every electric scooter for rent is equipped with an Internet of Things (IoT) module that monitors speed in real time. This means that it is physically impossible to exceed the set limit, as the electronics will limit the motor’s power automatically.

In addition, operators will be able to track user behavior and analyze how reducing speeds affects pedestrian comfort and the overall safety of the urban environment.

Majority of users are within limits

According to experts, the vast majority of electric scooter renters travel at a reasonable speed in the range from 17 to 20 km/h. Violators who deliberately exceed the limits or use the equipment inappropriately are only about 1%.

According to experts, the vast majority of electric scooter renters travel at reasonable speeds in the range of 17 to 20 kilometers per hour.

Possible complete ban of scooters on sidewalks

According to current traffic rules, electric scooters must move on sidewalks in the absence of bicycle lanes. In such cases, cyclists must ride in the right lane of the roadway.

Nevertheless, discussions of completely banning SIM traffic on sidewalks have already begun in Russia in April. The possibility of raising the minimum age for electric scooter users is also being considered – this issue is currently being worked out.