By BikeBoom
E-scooter sharing services must comply with the new rules in force since May 2026, as well as the compulsory insurance requirement that kicks in on 16 July 2026.
Warning: sharing companies that fail to comply risk receiving (or causing their customers to receive) very heavy fines. Serious damage to their reputation and reliability!
If you run an e-scooter sharing service or want to open one, and want to make sure everything is above board, you need to know the latest changes to the Italian Highway Code, updated to July 2026.
The obligations for riding e-kick scooters (including shared ones!)
The new Highway Code has introduced key new rules for riding e-scooters. They also apply to people using sharing services.
Helmets compulsory on e-scooters
Helmets have become compulsory for everyone riding an e-kick scooter, regardless of age.
As the owner of a sharing company, you are not legally required to provide helmets to your users. But from a commercial and user-experience point of view, not providing a helmet can be a spectacular own goal!
In fact, you expose your users to the risk of a fine of between €50 and €250.
How we do it at BikeBoom:
we only supply our franchise partners with e-kick scooters with helmet holders and helmets built into the vehicle, which can be unlocked via the app. With a choice like this, you offer customers a top-notch service that gives you an edge over your competitors.
Number plates compulsory from 16 May 2026
E-scooter sharing services must also comply with the requirement to fit a number plate to every vehicle, from 16 May 2026.
If you run a sharing service, you must only put e-scooters with number plates on the road! I
How we do it at BikeBoom:
we supply our partners with electric vehicles that comply with all the rules set out in current regulations.
Third-party liability insurance compulsory on e-scooters from 16 July 2026
From 16 July 2026, third-party liability insurance becomes compulsory for e-kick scooters (but not for e-bikes limited to 25 km/h). Anyone breaking this rule risks a very heavy fine, from €100 to €400.
What should you do if you run a sharing service? Here too, the responsibility is yours. You must guarantee users that the vehicles you put on the road are compliant. The policy must therefore be included in the rental price, automatically covering the rider while they are using the vehicle.
How we do it at BikeBoom:
BikeBoom partners receive full support and assistance with these practical matters too, along with the best advice on managing prices and offers to boost their revenue.
Compulsory requirements for e-kick scooters on the road
Since 2024, all e-scooters you put on the road must meet minimum requirements, such as:
- front and rear brakes
- red rear brake light
- white front light
- indicators
- horn or bell.
If you want to offer customers more, we suggest bringing vehicles with GPS, IoT, smart locks, phone holders and fast-charging systems into your sharing service.
How we do it at BikeBoom:
to our partners who open an e-scooter sharing franchise, we supply vehicles from the best brands such as Okai, Segway and Navee, with advanced technology for fleet safety and control.
The users of your e-scooter sharing service must follow the rules too!
The rules of the road are strict, and anyone riding an e-kick scooter, even a shared one, must obey them. If your customers fail to follow these rules, they can put other people’s safety at risk, and they can also expose your business to unpleasant consequences:
- the rider must be at least 14 years old
- carrying a passenger is forbidden
- riding is only allowed on urban roads with a speed limit of up to 50 km/h and on cycle paths
- in crowded pedestrian areas, riding is only allowed if the user gets off and walks the vehicle
- riding on pavements is forbidden
- riding against the flow of traffic is forbidden
- parking is only allowed in designated areas, in dedicated, marked bays
- the rider must respect speed limits, including in reduced-speed zones.
How do you make sure your sharing customers follow the rules?
The quickest and safest way to make sure all your customers obey the rules of the road when riding your e-scooters is to adopt a sharing app with advanced features.
How we do it at BikeBoom:
At BikeBoom we offer our sharing app free of charge to all our franchise partners, but those who run a sharing service outside the BikeBoom network can also buy it and customise it as a white label.
A great app like this gives you full control of your vehicle fleet, so you can make sure the rules of the road are respected.
For example:
- with the ID verification feature you make sure the rider is over 14;
- thanks to Geofences you can set slow zones and no-go zones, where the vehicle must slow down or cannot enter, ensuring speed limits and permitted riding areas are respected;
- with End-Ride Photo Verification you make sure the vehicle is parked in the designated areas at the end of the ride (or with the Premium Parking features you can charge an extra fee for parking outside designated areas).
The bureaucratic process for opening a Sharing service
The bureaucratic process for opening a Sharing business, on the other hand, has not changed. The initial steps are still notifying the SUAP (one-stop shop for businesses), taking out third-party liability insurance and obtaining the Municipality’s permit. To find out more about these aspects, you can read our article “How to start a legally compliant e-scooter sharing service”.
On the administrative and bureaucratic side too, BikeBoom partners have a smooth path because our team offers step-by-step support and advice to tackle all the challenges involved in opening a Sharing service.
Open your e-scooter sharing franchise with BikeBoom and make sure you have everything under control, fully compliant with the rules and with an amazing user experience for your customers.
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