Prague to ban shared e-scooters from January 2026

Prague City Hall has approved a ban on shared electric scooters, set to take effect in January 2026, following long-standing complaints about safety risks and clutter on city sidewalks.

Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib, responsible for transport, announced the decision on social media, saying it would “end the chaos” caused by scooters, which are often ridden on pavements and left blocking pedestrian areas. The measure was approved by the city council on October 20, 2025.

The ban will apply to all shared rental scooters, effectively making their use illegal within city limits. Officials said Prague’s historic centre and narrow streets are unsuitable for large numbers of scooters, which have caused frequent disputes with pedestrians.

E-scooter operator Lime expressed disappointment, arguing that scooters provide an affordable and environmentally friendly transport option when properly regulated. The company said it hoped Prague would reconsider and adopt clearer rules instead of a full ban.

Prague joins other European cities that have imposed restrictions or bans on shared scooters following similar public complaints about safety and parking issues. To give some examples, Paris and Madrid fully banned e-scooter rental, Finland set a minimum age requirement of 15 years old for renting an e-scooter, while Italy has mandated e-scooter owners to insure their vehicles and wear helmets. 

The city plans to update its shared-mobility framework next year to strengthen regulations on bicycle-sharing schemes and vehicle parking.

Author: Sara Mecatti

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.