E-Scooter Operators in Chernivtsi: City Council Severs Ties with Rental Firms

Chernivtsi Terminates E-Scooter Rental Agreements

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: At a session on August 10, the Chernivtsi City Council voted to terminate its memorandums with e-scooter rental operators Bolt, Vevi, and Jet.ua. The decision, backed by 22 deputies, came after repeated complaints from residents over chaotic scooter parking and unsafe riding practices.

The operators now have 14 days to clear all e-scooters from the streets and dismantle their charging stations and other equipment. If they fail to do so, the scooters will be taken to a temporary storage site. Oleksandr Dokien, head of the city council's communications department, explained that the memorandum terms allowed either side to exit the agreement by giving 14 days' notice.

Dokien also noted that the city council and its executive bodies lack the authority to confiscate scooters or remove operator equipment, as traffic rule enforcement in Chernivtsi rests solely with the Patrol Police Department. Ending the memorandums does not make future e-scooter rentals illegal.

The Broader E-Scooter Situation Across Ukraine

Ukrainian cities have been wrestling with how to regulate the rapid growth of e-scooter sharing services. In Lviv, which faces similar issues, authorities have tightened the rules for users. These measures include:

• a minimum user age of 16;
• mandatory safety helmets;
• a speed limit of 15 km/h on hazardous sections;
• organized parking requirements.

To implement most of these steps, Lviv planned to amend its municipal improvement rules, with a review expected in late July.

Nationwide, there are 2,800 bicycle mentors who teach children about road safety and proper use of bikes, scooters, and other micromobility devices. This mentoring profession was established by the NGO “Kyiv Association of Cyclists” as part of the “By Bike to School” campaign.

The Chernivtsi decision to cut ties with e-scooter operators underscores how road safety and local residents' concerns are driving municipal action. Other cities facing similar parking and safety challenges may look to this as an example. Lviv's move to adopt new user regulations already signals a growing demand for oversight of this transport mode across Ukraine.

The situation regarding e-scooter regulations is evolving across Ukraine. For instance, in Odesa, authorities are set to implement weekly enforcement patrols following a series of violations. This move highlights the growing need for effective management of e-scooter usage to ensure public safety, similar to the recent actions taken in Chernivtsi.