A new petition in Kyiv calls for a complete halt to e-scooter rental services

Kyiv petition sets its sights on banning e-scooters

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: An official petition has been lodged in Kyiv asking for e-scooter rental to be completely outlawed and for existing memorandums between the city government and operators to be terminated. E-scooter sharing services have become a familiar presence on Ukrainian streets, and city officials are wrestling with how to respond. As of 7:00 p.m. on August 17, 2026, the petition had 722 signatures, far short of the 6,000 required for official review. The petition was authored by Dmytro Kovalskyi, who points to pedestrian safety hazards and blocked infrastructure as core concerns. Organizers have 54 days to collect the needed 6,000 signatures.

Safety worries and lessons from other cities

The petition highlights a pattern of e-scooters striking pedestrians, injuries to vulnerable walkers-including children and older adults-crashes involving multiple riders on one scooter, and sidewalks being blocked by scattered devices. Kovalskyi is quoted as saying:

“Microtransport on sidewalks has become a real threat to the health and lives of city residents.” - Dmytro Kovalskyi

Other cities point to the need for stricter rules. On August 10, 2026, the Chernivtsi City Council voted to shut down e-scooter rental operations in the community, cancelling its agreements with Bolt, Vevi, and Jet.ua. Lviv, meanwhile, tightened its own regulations:

• riders must be at least 16 years old;
• wearing protective helmets is mandatory;
• speed limits are capped at 15 km/h on dangerous stretches.

Across Ukraine, nearly 2,800 bike mentors are currently teaching children road safety and the responsible use of bicycles, scooters, and other micromobility vehicles. The initiative was launched by the NGO Association of Kyiv Cyclists as part of the national “Bike to School” campaign.

All this keeps the e-scooter issue high on the public agenda in Ukraine, and new regulations could have a major impact on street safety. Kovalskyi's petition reflects growing concern about pedestrians' rights as micromobility becomes more popular. As other cities have shown, introducing clear rules may be key to ensuring e-scooters are used more safely in Ukrainian urban areas.

As concerns about safety and infrastructure continue to rise, other Ukrainian cities have already taken decisive action against e-scooter rentals. For example, Chernivtsi's City Council recently terminated its agreements with rental companies, reflecting a growing trend towards stricter regulations on micro-mobility services. This response highlights the urgency of addressing pedestrian safety and could influence the ongoing petition in Kyiv.