Prague to Ban Shared E-Scooters in 2026 Over Sidewalk Safety Concerns

Prague will ban shared electric scooter rentals starting January 2026 due to ongoing safety concerns and public space congestion, especially in the historic city center frequented by tourists. The decision follows numerous complaints from residents about scooters being recklessly ridden on sidewalks and obstructing pedestrian pathways, with statistics showing a significantly higher accident rate for e-scooters compared to bikes. The new regulatory framework approved by the city council will allow only bicycles and e-bikes to be part of shared transport schemes, requiring them to be parked in designated areas, while shared e-scooters will have no authorized parking zones and will be removed if found. Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib emphasized that e-scooters were often used more as a tourist attraction or entertainment rather than practical transport, causing chaos on sidewalks and pedestrian zones. The move aligns Prague with other European cities like Paris and Madrid that have imposed strict restrictions or bans on shared e-scooters. Providers of approved vehicles will pay fees for parking spaces, but private e-scooters will not be affected by the ban.