“At a speed of no more than 25 km / h”: changes in the traffic rules regarding electric scooters approved in Russia

The Russian government approved a number of changes to the Rules of the Road.

The amendments, in particular, relate to riding electric scooters, and also regulate the installation of new signs and markings.

The decisions will come into effect on March 1, 2023.

Thus, a new type of devices for movement, which have received a special status, is being introduced into the legislation - means of individual mobility (SIM).

“A means of individual mobility is a vehicle with one or more wheels (rollers) designed for individual movement of a person through the use of an engine (engines): electric scooters, electric skateboards, gyro scooters, segways, monowheels and other similar means,” a description of the new category is given.

As noted in the message, you can move on this technique at a speed of no more than 25 km / h.

At the same time, the mass of such transport, which is allowed to move along sidewalks, bicycle and pedestrian paths, should not exceed 35 kg.

The movement of means of individual mobility will be regulated by special signs, the decision to install which will be made by the authorities, depending on the location and availability of road infrastructure.

Signs may allow, prohibit or restrict the use of such vehicles.

When moving together with personal mobility aids, pedestrians will receive priority, taking into account which SIM drivers will have to calculate the speed of movement.

To cross the road at a pedestrian crossing, SIM users will need to dismount.

Driving on the road on the right side of the carriageway is allowed, but a number of conditions are also provided for this situation.

“This can be done by people over 14 years old and where the maximum speed is limited to 60 km / h, and cyclists are also allowed.

A scooter or other device moving along the road must have a brake system and headlights in white and red,” the press service of the Cabinet emphasized.

At the same time, it is clarified that the new status does not apply to ordinary scooters and roller skates.

People using these means are still classified as pedestrians.

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Experts believe that the need to regulate the operation of electric scooters and other similar equipment is long overdue.

This point of view, in particular, was expressed by auto expert Igor Morzharetto.

“Because they exist in nature, but not in the legal field.

For two years in the government there were butts about this, whether to contribute or not to contribute.

But, finally, at least some parameters are defined.

Although, in general, it is clear that this is only the first step in order to create at least some kind of legal framework, ”said the interlocutor of RT.

According to him, first it is necessary to create the concepts of permissible speed limits and age limits for the use of SIM, then the development of a system of punishments for various violations will follow.

“What will happen if they go at a higher speed, if they go by two, who is responsible in the event of an accident, etc. Maybe something related to insurance for these means of individual mobility will appear,” the expert noted.

In turn, the director of the National Public Center for Traffic Safety, Sergei Kanaev, in a conversation with RT, raised the issue of riding electric scooters on the roadway in terms of the overall flow rate.

“They are also allowed to move along the edge of the carriageway on the road network, that is, on public roads.

If you limit the speed to 25 km / h for electric scooters there, then it will not be safe.

The safest speed on the road is the speed of traffic.

And if we limit it to 25 km / h, then we risk creating an emergency, ”the expert noted.

He also drew attention to the problem of the lack of requirements regarding the possession of a driver's license by the owners of electric scooters.

According to Kanaev, in the absence of verification of at least theoretical knowledge, SIM drivers should not be on the roadway.

What exactly is a driver's license?

This is a license to drive a vehicle.

If you do not have a license, then you a priori cannot go on the road, ”the expert believes.

• AGN "Moscow"

Road signs and markings

Government-approved innovations also apply to safety islands and guide islands on the roads.

On these elements, a complete ban on movement, stopping and parking is introduced.

As noted in the press service of the Cabinet, this measure should improve visibility on the roads and improve traffic safety.

Along with this, the government approved the introduction of two new road signs.

One of them indicates charging for electric vehicles, and the second informs about the ban on buses.

“Its appearance is the result of the practice of restricting the movement of buses in the host cities of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

At the same time, this sign does not prohibit the movement of buses following public transport routes and school buses,” the press service of the government specified.

The design of signs for paid parking and parking for the disabled will also change.

In the first case, the image of a coin will be added to the Latin letter P used in the designation of these signs, and in the second case, a stylized image of a wheelchair user will appear.

A similar design has already been used in the course of an experiment that has been conducted in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Saratov, Vladimir, Krasnodar and Voronezh since 2017.

“Another innovation is the visual separation of paid and free parking zones.

Paid parking zones will now be marked with blue lines, while free parking zones will be marked with white lines.

Such markings will help motorists navigate faster when choosing a parking space," the Cabinet reported.