Prague’s city council has approved a ban on shared electric scooters that will take effect in January. This decision concludes years of complaints from residents concerning the obstruction of sidewalks and safety hazards posed by these scooters. The regulation aims to improve public order by enforcing designated parking areas for bicycles and e-bikes, while eliminating shared e-scooter operations altogether.
The move has been officially endorsed by Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib, who noted that the new regulations are a result of collaboration with various government ministries. These guidelines aim to establish a more organized public space and address issues stemming from chaotic scooter usage, particularly in pedestrian-heavy areas. Residents had frequently voiced concerns over the reckless riding behaviors of tourists on shared scooters, leading to the public safety initiative.
While the city aims to encourage responsible urban mobility through the regulation of bicycles and e-bikes, privately owned scooters will not be affected by this ban. The council stated that shared e-scooters have transitioned into more of a recreational tool rather than a reliable mode of transport, often causing disturbances in city traffic and contributing to public disorder.