Skaters' mobility is limited in a different Belarusian urban area.
In the historic city of Vitebsk, Belarus, e-scooter users now face updated regulations aimed at ensuring safety and order on the city's streets. The changes, reported by local news outlet "Vitebsk News," divide restrictions into four categories, providing a clearer understanding of where and how e-scooters can be used.
The new rules mark a significant step for Vitebsk, becoming the second city in Belarus, after Minsk, to implement such restrictions. E-scooter operators must now ensure the possibility of speed limiting their vehicles and inform users about any changes.
Speed limits vary across the city. In certain pedestrian areas and on specific streets, the speed of e-scooters should not exceed 7 km/h. These areas include Market territories in Polotsk, Smolensk, Central, and Southern markets, Hospital territories such as Vitebsk Regional Clinical Hospital, Vitebsk City Clinical Hospital of Emergency Medical Care, Vitebsk Regional Clinical Infectious Hospital, Vitebsk Regional Children's Clinical Hospital, School and kindergarten territories, Botanical Garden, Summer Amphitheater territory, Suvorova Street (from Uritskogo Street to Tolstogo Street), Tolstogo, Krylova, Pushkin Streets, Liberty Square, and Kirillov Bridge.
On other streets, the speed limit is raised to 10 km/h. This includes the student garden on Moscow Prospect and areas like Lenina Street, Frunze Culture and Recreation Park, Park of Victors, Park of Partisan Glory named after M. Shmyrev, and 1000th Anniversary of Vitebsk Park. Zamkovaya Street, Kirova Street, Dovatora Street, Baumana Street, Sovietskaya Street, and Frunze Prospect (from Smolenskaya Street to Lenina Street) also fall under this category.
Speed limits are further elevated to 15 km/h in specific areas, such as the area of Vitba and on the Western Dvina embankment, as well as on Vitba and on the Western Dvina embankment. Additionally, speed restriction on pedestrian crossings and intersections on all city streets is set at 10 km/h.
However, e-scooter movement is completely banned in certain areas, such as certain sections of Vitebsk's market areas, hospital territories, school and kindergarten territories, and the Summer Amphitheater territory.
The maximum allowed speed for e-scooters in the city of Vitebsk, according to traffic rules, is 25 km/h. In some areas, the speed of e-scooters should not exceed 15 km/h.
For the most precise and updated regulations on e-scooter movement in Vitebsk, it is best to consult official Vitebsk city government or transport department publications or websites, local news outlets providing updates on transport laws, or law enforcement advisories in Vitebsk. If you have access to local government portals or can contact municipal authorities in Vitebsk, they would provide the authoritative source for the latest e-scooter movement rules and restricted areas.
In light of the new regulations, smart-home devices like e-scooters and other gadgets will need to comply with the speed limitations in Vitebsk, as technology plays a crucial role in ensuring safety and order on the city's streets. These devices will be subject to restrictions in certain areas, such as the Summer Amphitheater territory, school and kindergarten territories, and hospital territories, where they are completely banned or have speed limits as low as 7 km/h.
