Scooters will be banned from riding on sidewalks in Almaty

Tengrinews.kz — New regulations for electric scooter users will take effect in Almaty on August 25. Riding on sidewalks will be prohibited, and rentals will be restricted to adults holding a valid driver's license. This report examines how police and kick-sharing companies plan to enforce these new requirements.
Scooters banned from sidewalks
Saltanat Azirbek, official spokesperson for the Almaty Police Department, announced during a Regional Communications Service briefing that electric scooter users will no longer be permitted to ride on sidewalks starting August 25.
Furthermore, only adults with a driver's license of any category will be authorized to use electric scooters.
Ahead of the new regulations, police are already urging residents to adjust their habits and avoid pedestrian zones.

"Entering pedestrian zones and sidewalks will be prohibited. Consequently, movement will only be allowed on bike lanes or along the right edge of the roadway. August 25 is just around the corner. My advice is to stop riding on sidewalks now to get used to the change," Azirbek stated.

Enforcing the sidewalk ban
Saltanat Azirbek explained that compliance with the new rules will be monitored not only by police officers but also by the kick-sharing services themselves.
Note:Kick-sharing is a short-term electric scooter rental service managed via a mobile app. Users locate a scooter on a map, scan a QR code, pay for the ride, and leave the vehicle in a designated area.
Companies are already implementing technical restrictions: if a scooter enters a sidewalk, the system will first reduce its speed before bringing the vehicle to a complete stop.

"When a scooter enters a restricted zone, the system initially slows it down—for example, to 2–3 kilometers per hour—and then stops it entirely to avoid a sudden jolt. This will be a collaborative effort: patrol units, foot patrols, and scooter patrols will identify sidewalk violations, while the automated system prevents movement in prohibited areas," Azirbek said.

She also emphasized that the system will prevent individuals without a driver's license from renting electric scooters.
Photo: Tengrinews/Bolat Aitmolda
Crackdown on underage riders using third-party accounts
According to the police spokesperson, parents and older relatives frequently share their accounts with minors. Authorities now plan to eliminate this loophole.
Azirbek stated that police are working with second-tier banks and kick-sharing companies to develop a bank card verification system. If a teenager attempts to pay for a rental using their own card, the service will deny access.

"Currently, we see cases where parents or older siblings grant account access to younger relatives. These minors then pay using their own children's bank cards. We are working with banks to ensure kick-sharing companies can identify when a minor is trying to pay and block that transaction," Saltanat Azirbek explained.

Companies to face liability
If a rental service allows a minor or an unlicensed individual to rent a scooter, police will initially issue an order to rectify the violation.
Azirbek stressed that repeated violations could lead to administrative liability for the companies, as well as operational restrictions determined in coordination with the Prosecutor's Office.
High-priority enforcement zones
The police spokesperson noted that intensified enforcement will be implemented on Shevchenko and Kunaev streets, as well as Abai Avenue, where electric scooter traffic is highest. Additionally, extra patrols will be stationed near schools and universities ahead of the new academic year.
Violations involving multiple riders
Police noted that current software is not yet capable of detecting how many people are on a single scooter simultaneously.
As a result, such violations will continue to be identified by police officers on the ground.

"For now, these violations can only be detected visually. If two teenagers or young adults are riding together, the system likely won't pick it up. Police officers will have to intervene. Sometimes we see unbelievable situations—three people on one scooter, sometimes even carrying a large box. Such instances are stopped immediately, and administrative measures are taken," she said.

Photo © Tengrinews.kz / Bolat Aitmolda
Over 200 users penalized for riding without helmets
Note.It is worth noting that owners of private scooters will not be required to register them or install license plates. However, when entering the roadway, they are obliged to comply with all traffic regulations.
According to Saltanat Azirbek, since April 1, police have identified more than 200 cases of electric scooter users riding without protective helmets.
Speed limits to apply to police on scooters
Earlier, the Almaty Akimat introduced speed limits for rental electric scooters. Specifically:

15 kilometers per hour on bike lanes;
10 kilometers per hour on other sections of the road network;
6 kilometers per hour near schools, hospitals, and other high-traffic public areas.

According to Saltanat Azirbek, these restrictions also apply to scooters used by police officers.

"The Almaty Police Department does not have its own service scooters. We lease them from kick-sharing companies under a memorandum. These scooters also have speed governors and do not exceed 25 kilometers per hour. Therefore, scooter patrols operate under the same restrictions," Azirbek said.

What other measures is the Almaty Akimat introducing?
The Almaty Akimat reported that, in addition to speed limits, other safety measures are being introduced for rental electric scooters in the city.
For instance, using geofencing technology, rental electric scooters will be prohibited in:

parks,
public gardens,
embankments, and other public spaces primarily used by pedestrians.

Furthermore, the number of parking spaces for electric scooters in the city will be reduced from 4,880 to 2,112, and all approved parking zones will be equipped with special road markings at the operators' expense. The Akimat expects this to help organize scooter placement and reduce cases of chaotic parking.
What else has changed for scooter riders this summer
On July 1, new requirements for using rental electric scooters came into force in Kazakhstan.
Rental companies must now register scooters, install identification numbers, provide insurance, monitor the technical condition of the vehicles, and organize designated parking spaces.
Operators are also required to verify the user's identity and ensure they hold a valid driver's license.
The rental of scooters to minors has been prohibited.
Photo © Tengrinews.kz / Bolat Aitmolda
Electric scooters are permitted on bike lanes, shoulders, and the right edge of the roadway. From August 25, riding on sidewalks will be prohibited.
Additionally, there are several other rules that electric scooter enthusiasts must follow.
It is prohibited to:

ride hands-free (at least one hand must remain on the handlebars);
carry passengers or bulky cargo (if it protrudes by more than 50 centimeters);
tow or be towed (except for trailers specifically designed for scooters/bicycles);
ride across pedestrian crossings — riders must dismount and walk the scooter across;
ride on the road at night without reflective elements;
ride on the roadway without a fastened helmet.

It should be noted that compliance with traffic regulations when using electric scooters helps reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, making transportation safer for both users and pedestrians.