Prague to ban e-scooter rentals
The ban follows a referendum in which 82 per cent of voters backed a parking ban on electric scooters. On Monday, councillors approved the rule changes which will prevent e-scooters from being parked in the city centre. Supporters say this follows longstanding complaints from residents regarding e-scooters blocking pavements and street parking and dangerous driving by riders.
Zdeněk Hřib, deputy mayor of Prague and the portfolio holder for transport, said on X: “We are introducing clear rules that will clear public space from uncontrolled scooter traffic, which was often used in the city centre more as a tourist attraction than a means of transport and caused chaos on and in pedestrian zones.”
The rule changes do not affect rental bikes, including those with electric drives – with the city authorities stating they actually want to encourage shared bike schemes. Der Spiegel reports that the city wants to conclude contracts with rental companies for designated pavement and road-side parking areas in future, with companies then obliged to pay a monthly fee of around €1 per bike.
Commenting on the rule changes, Lime – one of Prague’s largest shared e-scooter operators – said it regrets the decision and stated that “scooters can work very well and serve citizens” in cities where there is “constructive dialogue”.
The rule changes in Prague mark a wider backlash against the use of rental e-scooters in European cities. Paris banned e-scooter rentals following a vote in 2023, with companies like Voi now expanding their bike rental schemes instead.
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