Don't speed on electric scooters and bicycles – follow traffic rules!
July 20, 2023
On July 21, 2023, the State Traffic Inspectorate will conduct a preventive event titled: "Don't Speed on Personal Mobility Devices and Bicycles – Obey Traffic Rules!".
On July 21, 2023, the State Traffic Inspectorate will conduct a preventive event titled: "Don't Speed on Personal Mobility Devices and Bicycles – Obey Traffic Rules!", aimed at preventing road traffic accidents involving cyclists and persons using personal mobility devices. As part of this event, we would like to remind you once again of the rules for safe travel on bicycles and personal mobility devices.
The use of personal mobility devices on public roads is becoming a significant source of increased danger, both for the individuals operating such devices and for other road users. Since October 27, 2022, new requirements of the Traffic Regulations have come into force, which have assigned a generalized concept to electronic gadgets and regulated their operation, while granting individuals operating them certain rights and responsibilities.
Electric scooters, hoverboards, segways, and monowheels are now called "personal mobility devices" (PMDs) – and are understood as devices or appliances that are not vehicles, are powered by a motor, and are intended for individual or joint use (if specially equipped seating is available) by pedestrians.
IMPORTANT! Personal mobility devices:
• are not considered vehicles. However, they must have a functioning braking system and handlebars (if applicable);
• when moving, pedestrians are recommended to use protective gear (helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, etc.);
• may be ridden on bike paths, and in their absence – on sidewalks, pedestrian paths, or shoulders, without creating obstacles for pedestrians;
• crossing the roadway on a personal mobility device must be carried out at a bicycle crossing or bike path in compliance with the requirements stipulated by the Traffic Regulations for movement.
cyclists, and in the absence of a bicycle crossing or bicycle path – in areas designated for pedestrians;• the speed of movement should not exceed 25 km/h;
• driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly PROHIBITED.
Pedestrians moving on personal mobility devices (PMDs) are permitted to:
• not dismount at crossings. In this case, they must cross the roadway at the speed of a walking pedestrian, after ensuring that entering (driving onto) the roadway is safe;
• ride on the roadway in zones with "limited maximum speed";
• move on the roadway in residential and pedestrian zones.
It is PROHIBITED to:
• transport passengers on a personal mobility device outside of specially equipped seating areas provided for by the PMD's design;
• not hold onto the handlebars (if present);
• operate a PMD if under the age of 14 (except in pedestrian and residential zones);
• perform actions that endanger road traffic safety when entering (driving onto) the roadway and moving on it.
IMPORTANT! During dark hours and in conditions of poor visibility, pedestrians on PMDs must be equipped with reflective elements, and the PMD must have a headlight (lamp) that allows for timely detection of road obstacles.
CYCLISTS! Bicycle traffic must be carried out on a bicycle path, and in its absence – on the shoulder, sidewalk, or pedestrian path, without creating obstacles for safe pedestrian movement. If the aforementioned road elements are absent or it is impossible to move on them, cyclists are permitted to move on the roadway in a single file, no more than 1 meter from its right edge.
In this case:
• exiting more than 1 meter from the right edge of the roadway is permitted only for overtaking an obstacle and, in permitted cases, for making a left turn or a U-turn;
• columns of cyclists moving on the roadway must be divided into groups of no more than 10 cyclists. The distance between groups must be at least 100 meters;
• if there is a horizontal road marking line on the roadway indicating its edge, this line must be to the left of the cyclist.
Dark hours pose a particular threat to all cycling enthusiasts. Thus, according to the Traffic Regulations, when moving onon the road during dark hours and/or when visibility is poor, the following must be switched on: a headlight (lamp) emitting white light at the front, and a taillight emitting red light at the rear. Outside of populated areas, cyclists MUST WEAR HIGH-VISIBILITY CLOTHING WITH REFLECTIVE ELEMENTS (except when riding on a bicycle path).
A cyclist must cross the roadway at a bicycle crossing or bicycle path, and in their absence, at a pedestrian crossing, at an intersection along the line of sidewalks or shoulders, without obstructing pedestrian traffic. Also, according to the amendments to the traffic regulations, when crossing the roadway, a cyclist has the right NOT TO DISMOUNT! However, when approaching an intersection with the roadway, the cyclist must REDUCE SPEED in advance and, having ensured that entering the roadway is safe, CROSS IT AT THE SPEED OF A WALKING PEDESTRIAN.
When riding at unregulated pedestrian crossings, bicycle crossings, and regulated pedestrian crossings, bicycle crossings, with a permissive signal for drivers and cyclists from a traffic controller or traffic light simultaneously, the cyclist HAS PRIORITY OVER OTHER VEHICLES.
Bicycle equipment is also important for cyclist safety. Currently, protective helmets and pads for elbows and knees are available for purchase. Of course, this will not solve all possible problems on the road, but it will significantly reduce the severity of potential injuries.
Cycling must be done on the shoulder or roadway, no more than 1 meter from the right edge of the roadway. Exceeding 1 meter from its right edge is permitted only for bypassing an obstacle and, in permitted cases, for turning left or making a U-turn.
Cyclists are prohibited from:
• using technically faulty bicycles, as well as those equipped in violation of the requirements of technical regulations and legal acts;
• riding without holding the handlebars and/or without keeping their feet on the pedals (footrests);
• turning left or making a U-turn on a road with tram tracks, and on a road with more than one lane of traffic in the current direction;
• riding on the roadway in snowy and/or icy conditions;
• carrying passengers, except for cases of transporting children under 7 years of age on a bicycle in an additional specially equipped seat.
or when the moped's design allows for passenger transport;• transport cargo that extends more than 0.5 meters in length or width beyond the vehicle's dimensions, as well as cargo that obstructs the control of the vehicle.
It is prohibited to operate a bicycle on the road for persons under 14 years of age (except in pedestrian and residential zones, on sidewalks, and on bicycle and pedestrian paths).
Senior State Traffic Inspector
of the Traffic Police Department of the Internal Affairs Department of the Glubokoye District Executive Committee
Police Captain
E.A. Sivytsky
19.07.2023