Can You Ride an E-Scooter on the Sidewalk? Maringá Law Explained
The answer is no — with an important restriction. In Maringá (a city in southern Brazil), Municipal Law nº 11.981/2025 permits e-scooters on sidewalks, plazas, and parks, but with a maximum speed of 6 km/h (about 4 mph). Many riders think they can go full speed anywhere, but the law is specific: in these spaces you ride slowly, as if you were walking briskly.
In this guide you'll understand exactly where to ride, what equipment you need, what speed limits apply, and what federal law says. Here at Patinep Store, we serve hundreds of Maringá residents every month and see many users making simple mistakes that result in fines. Let's break this down clearly.
Where E-Scooters Can Ride in Maringá
Municipal law divides spaces into three zones, each with different rules.
- Bike lanes and bike paths: maximum 20 km/h (12 mph) — ideal space to ride at controlled speed
- Sidewalks, plazas, and parks: maximum 6 km/h (4 mph) — you ride slow here, always alert for pedestrians
- Shared traffic routes: permitted only on streets with speed limits up to 40 km/h (25 mph) — residential streets, not fast avenues
Prohibited: high-speed roads, streets with elevated speeds, highways, and motorways. If the street is known as dangerous or has heavy traffic, e-scooters aren't allowed.
The 6 km/h Speed Limit: What It Means in Practice
Six kilometers per hour is very slow — it's basically a brisk walk. If you're walking normally on a sidewalk, you're going around 5 km/h. Six is just slightly faster than that.
Your e-scooter display has a mandatory speed indicator (required by law). Use it. If you leave the sidewalk for a bike lane, you can increase to 20 km/h, but you must return to 6 km/h when back on the sidewalk.
Most electric scooters reach 32 km/h maximum (federal technical limitation), so your machine is capable of much more than 6 km/h — which means it's the rider's responsibility to control speed and respect local limits.
Required Safety Equipment by Law
You cannot leave home with an incomplete scooter. Municipal legislation requires:
- Mandatory helmet — not a suggestion, it's the law. Always wear one
- Speed indicator — so you know if you're respecting the speed limit
- Functional bell — to alert pedestrians of your approach
- Night lighting — front and rear lights, or reflectors, for riding at night
If you see someone riding without these items, they're circulating illegally. At Patinep Store, all e-scooters come with this equipment, or you can purchase them separately from us reliably.
Minimum Age and Required Documentation
To operate an e-scooter, the minimum age is 16 years old (no adult supervision required). Federal resolution CONTRAN 996/2023 is clear: e-scooters and electric scooters up to 32 km/h do not require a driver's license.
Only motorized scooters above 50 cc require a driver's license, which doesn't apply to standard e-scooters. So if you're 16 or older, you're clear to ride — as long as you respect speed limits and local regulations.
The Difference Between Bike Lanes (20 km/h) and Sidewalks (6 km/h)
This is the point that causes the most confusion. Many people think they can ride fast anywhere — that's not true.
- Bike lane or bike path: dedicated space designed for you to ride at 20 km/h safely — the highest permitted speed
- Sidewalk, plaza, or park: shared space with pedestrians, elderly people, children — that's why the maximum is 6 km/h
If you want to ride with more freedom, stick to the bike lanes. Maringá has growing bike infrastructure that makes this easier every year.