Brazilian cities grapple with electric scooter sidewalk hazards

In Curitiba, electric scooters are frequently left on sidewalks, blocking tactile paving and impeding movement for people with visual impairments, wheelchair users, seniors, and parents with strollers. Enio Rodrigues da Rosa, director of the Instituto Paranaense de Cegos, said the institution is not opposed to scooters but condemns their improper parking, and has filed a complaint with the Office for the Defense of the Rights of People with Disabilities. A student who is blind, Carin, described daily encounters with scooters piled on the paving, causing her to stumble and fall.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Francisco Beltrão has begun a public discussion on establishing safety guidelines for electric bicycles, scooters, and other self‑propelled personal mobility devices. Mayor Antonio Pedron, together with officials from the local traffic department and urban development, cited the need to align with Brazil's Contran Resolution 996/2023, promote awareness, enforce regulations, and protect all road users while allowing the continued growth of these transport options.