Elevated Penalties for Underage Electric Scooter Riding in Russia from 2025
Fines for mishandling electric scooters in Nizhny Novgorod have tripled in severity.
As of late April 2025, Russia has ramped up the consequences for youngsters zooming around on electric scooters without proper permits. The fine has spiraled from 10,000 rubles to a whopping 30,000 rubles, as reported by "Izvestia".
These adjustments are already live for services like Whoosh and "MTS Yurent". In the heart of Moscow, the penalty climbs to a hefty 100,000 rubles. Companies demand their riders to be no less than 16 years old (for Whoosh) or 18 years old (for "MTS Yurent" and "Yandex Go"), reflecting a stricter stance than the road traffic rules that allow 14-year-olds to be behind the handlebars.
The steepened fines are attributed to statistics highlighting under-16s as the most common culprits in accidents. If an adult lets a child ride, their account takes an immediate hit, and they’re hit with the same steep fine. Other punishments include: 5,000 rubles for having a passenger, 1,000 rubles for not clearing pedestrian crossings, 500 rubles for incorrect parking, and an astronomical 150,000 rubles for riding under the influence.
In the pipeline, age verification through "Gosuslugi" is being considered to keep underage kiddos from renting mobility devices. Helmets will also become a must-have while cruise-riding on asphalt.
The Fine Print
- Tripled Fines: From May 2025, fines for minors breaking electric scooter rules will be tripled to 30,000 rubles.
- Legal Backing: This move is part of a broader plan to regulate personal mobility equipment (PME) and ensure safety for everyone on the road.
The Juice
Safety and Supervision
- Safer Roads: The increased fines aim to minimize potential hazards linked to underage electric scooter use, like accidents that could endanger lives.
- Strict Verification: There are plans to verify users' ages through Gosuslugi to limit minors from renting scooters, thereby reducing unauthorized usage and enhancing safety.
Legal Matters
- Age of Maturity: Most regions generally expect e-scooter enthusiasts to be at least 16 years old to show maturity and good judgment while riding.
- Just Deserts: The hiked fines are viewed as fitting retribution for the associated risks.
Community Influence
- Responsible Culture: By enforcing higher fines and stricter measures, there’s an emphasis on cultivating a more collective conscious and responsible usage culture among electric scooter riders.
- Emergency Prevention: The aim is to quell unsafe practices such as allowing children to hop on or aggressive driving on sidewalks, which could lead to emergencies.
- By 2025, fines for underage electric scooter riders in Russia will triple to 30,000 rubles, a move aimed at minimizing potential hazards and promoting safe behavior.
- The automotive industry, in collaboration with the transportation sector, is exploring age verification through Gosuslugi to prevent minors from renting mobility devices and protect everyone on the road.
- The finance sector is set to gain from the proposed regulations due to increased fines, with penalties including up to 150,000 rubles for riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- In line with the new fines, scooter-sharing companies like Whoosh, MTS Yurent, and Yandex Go demand their riders to be at least 16 or 18 years old, reflecting a stricter stance on safety regulations.
- The tightened rules on electric scooter use are part of a larger plan to regulate personal mobility equipment and ensure a responsible culture among riders, reducing accidents and ensuring safety for all.
