Florence begins removing shared e-scooters as private rentals continue

Florence has begun removing shared e-scooters from its streets following the ban on rental services that came into force on 1 April 2026, marking the first concrete enforcement of the measure announced in recent days.

On the first day of the ban, municipal police removed around 80 vehicles. A second round of checks led to the removal of a further 27 scooters, as controls continue across the city. 

From ban to enforcement

As previously reported, the Municipality of Florence decided to end shared e-scooter services after the expiry of existing concessions and in light of new national rules, including stricter safety requirements such as mandatory helmet use.

City officials argue that, without a formal agreement with the administration, operators cannot legally run free-floating services on public land. The municipal police have therefore been instructed to remove vehicles found on the streets.

According to the city, the removals are administrative rather than punitive: no fines have been issued so far, but companies must pay storage costs to recover the scooters.

Bird stays on the road with a new model

Despite the stop to shared services, Bird has not left Florence. The company has switched to a fully private, on-demand rental model, arguing that this type of activity is comparable to traditional vehicle hire and does not require a municipal concession.

The company reported about 800 rides on the first day under the new system, suggesting that demand remains stable even after the ban.

At the same time, Bird has challenged the city’s actions, asking for official documentation related to the removals and stating that it has not yet received a formal response.

Legal and operational uncertainty

The dispute between the company and the city administration is ongoing. Bird has already filed a legal appeal against the measure; an initial request to suspend the ban was rejected by the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) of Tuscany, and a final ruling is still pending.

In the meantime, the city has made clear that enforcement will continue, while operators explore alternative ways to remain in the market.

What it means for users

For residents and visitors, the immediate impact is a transition phase. Traditional app-based shared scooters are being progressively removed, while private rental options — often with different booking systems and conditions — are starting to replace them.

The outcome of the legal case and the city’s future mobility policies will determine whether e-scooters return in a regulated sharing format or remain limited to private rental schemes.

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