Minimum user age — 16 years, mandatory use of protective helmets, speed limit of 15 km/h on hazardous sections, and regulation of parking: these changes regarding the use of electric scooters were agreed upon in Lviv. The decision was supported today at a meeting of the executive committee of the Lviv City Council, reports UNN.
Details
As reported by the Lviv City Council, the decision is an important step towards comprehensive regulation of the use of rental electric scooters. To implement part of the innovations, rental operators must introduce appropriate technical solutions in the near future, and some requirements still need amendments to the Rules of Improvement, which must be approved by a session of the city council.
The need for additional safety measures is driven by the growing number of injuries related to the use of electric scooters, particularly among children.
In June alone, 37 children were hospitalized in Lviv hospitals after being injured while riding electric scooters. Over the past three months, there have already been more than 100 such cases. Unfortunately, neurotraumas are injuries that last a lifetime. Last year, two transplantations were performed from child donors who died while riding electric scooters. Therefore, this decision is extremely necessary. As a city, we must set an example, of course in coordination with central authorities. We cannot stand aside when we receive statistics of injured children every day.
The decision provides for the following main changes:
1. Minimum user age — from 16 years.
For all users of electric scooters, it is proposed to introduce an age restriction — from 16 years. For rental electric scooters, operators must ensure age verification through mobile applications so that only persons who have reached this age can use them.
2. Mandatory use of protective helmets.
For all users of electric scooters, regardless of age, it is planned to introduce mandatory use of protective helmets. The relevant requirements should be established by amendments to the Rules of Improvement of the Lviv City Territorial Community.
3. Speed control.
The Department of Urban Mobility and Street Infrastructure, together with the patrol police, will identify hazardous sections where there are potential risks of injury to users of electric scooters and other road users. The list of such sections will be published.
For rental electric scooters on these sections, operators must programmatically limit the maximum speed to 15 km/h, as is already in place in certain locations of the city. At the same time, for users, primarily of private electric scooters, it is planned to install experimental road signs that will inform about the relevant restrictions. It is also proposed to introduce experimental information boards that will warn about dangerous sections and additional requirements for users of micromobility devices. However, the signs and boards must first be approved by the patrol police. The decision on their installation will be considered by the city road safety commission.
4. Regulation of parking.
From July 1, in the historical center of Lviv and adjacent areas (parking zones 1–3), rental electric scooters can only be left in specially designated places that are displayed in the mobile applications of rental services. These are places that do not obstruct the movement of pedestrians, including people with reduced mobility. In the future, the list of such places will be adjusted and expanded.
In all areas — age restrictions, use of protective helmets, speed control, and regulation of parking — we, together with the patrol police and the Municipal Guard, will conduct raids, respond to violations within the framework of current legislation, and carry out informational and explanatory work to improve the culture of using electric scooters.
In addition, the department will additionally appeal to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine regarding the regulatory settlement of the use of electric scooters, in particular, the introduction of liability for non-compliance with the requirements for the use of protective helmets.
New rules and fines for electric scooters - Verkhovna Rada committee supports bill11.06.26, 18:51