Source: Italianismo

After introducing rental scooters in 2020, the Italian city has now banned their use, although privately-owned models are still allowed.

Effective from April 1st 2026, electric scooter rental services are no longer allowed in Florence, with the city’s government justifying the ban as being based on security concerns. Users who own e-scooters privately are still permitted to use them.

Mayor Sara Funaro has explained that ensuring rule compliance was difficult, citing issues including: driving against the flow of traffic, e-scooters being used by two people at once, illegal parking, and failure to wear a helmet.

Florence’s ban comes after Italy has enforced stricter regulations nationally for electric scooters, which include:

• Mandatory use of helmets
• Vehicle identification requirement
• New safety rules

Experts have indicated that Florence’s ban is not a simultaneous consequence of national legislation, but rather a local decision.

Since the ban was announced, some shared e-scooter operators have withdrawn their vehicles, while others are trying to retain their offering in the city with alternative models, for example, long-term rentals or private services.

It has been noted that keeping scooters on Florence’s streets may result in penalties such as fines or impoundment by the local police.