Child’s Death Prompts Ban on Electric Scooters in Khmelnytskyi Parks

Tragedy in Khmelnytskyi

According to Главком: Following the fatal accident of an 11-year-old boy in Mykhailo Chekman Park on May 4, 2025, authorities in Khmelnytskyi have moved to prohibit electric scooters in pedestrian zones across six locations. The ban applies to:

• Ivan Franko Park
• Shevchenko Park
• Podillia Arboretum
• the area in front of the train station
• the lakeside zone in the Ozerna neighborhood

Bike lanes, however, remain open for scooters, and on the pedestrian section of Proskurivska Street, speed limits are planned at 10 km/h.

Statistics and Official Response

The incident occurred at 2:50 p.m. when the boy, riding an electric scooter on a bike path, lost control, fell, and struck his head. He was rushed to the intensive care unit of Khmelnytskyi City Children’s Hospital but later died. In response, the Khmelnytskyi regional police opened a criminal case under Article 291 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code.

Notably, in 2024, the number of court cases involving electric scooters in Ukraine rose by 42% compared to the previous year, with 71 such proceedings recorded. This upward trend highlights a growing safety issue, which has also driven the adoption of new restrictions.

“Adults who buy electric scooters for their children must learn the rules and explain them to their kids before the child rides alone,” stated representatives of the Khmelnytskyi City Council.

The electric scooter issue extends beyond Khmelnytskyi. Ivano-Frankivsk implemented a ban on scooters in its city center in September 2025. In Kyiv, the city council is exploring ways to regulate scooter traffic, but Ukraine still lacks a nationwide law on electric scooters. These measures reflect a growing recognition of road and pedestrian safety problems that demand urgent resolution.

The ban in Khmelnytskyi is a direct response to the rising number of injuries linked to electric scooter use. By acting after this tragedy, city authorities aim to enhance safety for both pedestrians and young scooter riders. At the same time, similar moves in other Ukrainian cities point to a broader trend of restricting scooter use, which could lead to further legislative changes and the need for a unified national regulatory framework.

The tragic incident in Khmelnytskyi is not an isolated case, as similar accidents involving electric scooters continue to raise alarm across Ukraine. For instance, a recent collision in the Kyiv region resulted in the death of a 10-year-old child, underscoring the urgent need for stricter safety regulations. To understand the broader context of these alarming events, you can read more about this heartbreaking accident here.