Regulation of shared electric scooters insufficient – Prague introduces own solution
Current legislation provides municipalities with only limited options for responding to problems associated with the operation of shared electric scooters. Cities are therefore looking for alternative ways to regulate them.
The law does not sufficiently regulate parking rules and liability for shared electric scooters. The Road Traffic Act stipulates that any obstacle to traffic must be removed by the person who caused it. In practice, however, it is almost impossible to trace a specific user, and the liability of operators is not regulated by law. Municipalities are therefore significantly limited in their ability to enforce remedies. They also have limited options for regulating shared micromobility on their own. Regulation cannot be effectively established by a generally binding decree, so cities mainly use contracts with service operators. However, this approach has proven to be insufficient.
Prague has responded most decisively to the persistent problems. From 1 January 2026, it will introduce a new licensing system for shared micromobility, which will allow the use of reserved parking spaces for a fee, but only for shared bicycles and electric bikes. Electric scooters will not be included in the system, and since it will not be possible to park these vehicles outside these areas, their operation in the city will practically cease.
Other cities are taking a more moderate approach. České Budějovice has regulated the operation of shared electric scooters through agreements with operators, which specify designated parking spaces and conditions for their use. Ostrava, on the other hand, has introduced local traffic regulations that restrict the movement of electric scooters in pedestrian zones in the city centre.
While Prague has opted for the strictest form of regulation, other cities are trying to preserve shared services, albeit under stricter supervision. However, there is still no uniform legislation, and cities are therefore looking for their own ways to maintain a balance between accessible mobility and order in public spaces. The question remains whether shared electric scooters will suffer the same fate as Segways once did—initially a welcome addition to urban transport that eventually almost disappeared from the streets.