Florence, in Tuscany, has banned electric scooter rental services in the city. The measure has been in effect since April 1st. The measure does not affect those who own their own vehicles, who are still authorized to circulate.
The decision was made by the Italian municipality, which opted to end the sharing model that began in 2020.
What was prohibited?
The veto only applies to rental scooters in a shared system on the streets.
These services require authorization to operate in public spaces. With the end of the concession, they cannot continue operating in the same way.
What is still allowed
Those who own their own scooter can continue using it as normal.
The ban does not apply to individual use, only to the urban rental model.
Reason for the decision
The Florence city government justified the measure based on security concerns.
Mayor Sara Funaro stated that ensuring compliance with the rules was difficult. Among the problems cited were:
- driving against the flow of traffic
- for use by two people
- illegal parking
- failure to wear a helmet
Relationship with new rules
The change comes in the context of stricter regulations in Italy for electric scooters.
The standards include:
- Mandatory use of helmets
- vehicle identification requirement
- new safety rules
Despite this, experts indicate that the ban in Florence is not an automatic consequence of national legislation, but a local decision.
Conflict with companies
The decision sparked a dispute with companies in the sector.
Some operators have withdrawn their vehicles from the city. Others are trying to continue with alternative models, such as long-term rentals or private services.
Inspection
Without valid authorization, companies that keep scooters on the streets may be penalized.
Local police began impounding vehicles and issuing fines, as the concession had expired.
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