Kyiv: Micromobility speed reduced to 20 km per hour
Kyiv regulates the movement of light electric vehicles
Kyiv City State Administration has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with operators of electric scooter rental services in Kyiv, CityTrans reports with reference to the press service. On behalf of the city, the document has been signed by Konstiantyn Usov, Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration for Self-Government Powers. The document has been also signed by representatives of seven companies which are currently providing electric scooter rental services in Kyiv, namely TM “Bolt”, TM “Kiwi”, TM “Scroll”, TM “BikeNow”, TM “Zelectra”, TM “Jet” and TM “Vzhooh.”
“Similar to all large cities of the world, Kyiv is on the course for the development of micromobility,” Konstiantyn Usov said. “There are almost 4,000 rented electric scooters running in the streets of the city for the time being, and the amount is expected to grow to 7,000 by the end of 2021. At the same time, the rules they being used have not been legislatively set yet. Therefore the city initiated the Memorandum stipulating that operators assume certain obligations and accept our rules.”
Talking about major limitations set in the Memorandum, Konstiantyn Usov mentioned the reduction of micromobility maximum speed from 30-35 km/h to 20 km/h. Speed will not exceed 14 km/h when running through special-purpose zones like green zones, pedestrian areas and historical zones.
“Scooter parking will be prohibited in historic centers, near diplomatic missions, near certain state bodies and law enforcement agencies, as well as near national security and defense entities,” Konstiantyn Usov added.
The Deputy Head also informed about the software controlling and restraining the movement of scooters in given areas of the city. The scooter will turn off at the entrance to these spots. The list includes the Peizazhna Alley, the pedestrian part of Sahaidachnoho Street, some religious and sensitive areas such as cemeteries, as well as the territory around public authorities.
“Moreover, we are streamlining the morning start points. There will be 1,025 points allocated in all districts of Kyiv on clearly approved parking lots for 5 and 10 scooters. These points will be the only ones where scooters will be able to start from in the morning. This is going to solve the problem of chaotic and uncontrolled disposition of scooters after morning recharging.”
Konstiantyn Usov also added that one of the important requirements of the Memorandum was the obligation of an operator to insure each user in case of accidents and injuries when using a scooter. The policy must cover the costs of medical care and treatment, as well as damage to property of third parties, with coverage starting from 100,000 UAH.
“In order to provide the faster identification of the accident, each scooter must have a personal number in letters and three digits on both sides. This will allow people to submit the address complains and to transmit easy-to-check information about the violators,” Konstiantyn Usov said.
According to the Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration, the most complicated stage of negotiations fell on operators’ readiness to provide the city with data needed to control the quality of rental services. Data should include peak hours of scooters, highest demand for scooters by city regions, a dynamic heat map by hours and days, as well as weekly report on accidents with scooters involved.
“This Memorandum is the best agreement that can only be concluded to date,” Konstiantyn Usov said. “It is going to be valid until the Verkhovna Rada adopts a law determining the status and movement rules of electric scooters and other light electric vehicles. Kyiv is ahead of both time and legislation in attempts to answer the realities of life arising here and now in our streets.”
Tags: electric scooters, micromobility, regulation, Київ
