São Paulo officially began enforcing e-scooters and electric bicycles on October 13, 2026, days after the new municipal regulation took effect. Between Tuesday (10/13) and Friday (10/16), CET (the municipal traffic authority) conducted 111 traffic stops — but issued zero fines. The strategy? Educate first, penalize later.

This isn't just São Paulo news. São Paulo sets the tone for the rest of Brazil, and the rules CET is checking come from federal resolutions that have already been in effect in Maringá since January 2026. If you ride an e-scooter here, you need to know what enforcement is monitoring — and how to stay off the radar for fines.

Here at Patinep Store, we follow these changes closely. Let's break down what CET found and what it means for anyone riding or scooting in the region.

How enforcement started in São Paulo

São Paulo's municipal regulation took effect on August 28, 2026, but the city delayed enforcement for nearly two months. The period was used for educational campaigns — a smart approach when many people still don't know the new rules.

CET launched operations on October 13, focusing on guidance, not punishment. This shows the agency expected to find many riders unaware of speed limits and mandatory equipment. Result: 111 stops, zero fines, pure dialogue.

What CET checked in the 111 traffic stops

CET's enforcement isn't random. It targets specific equipment and speed limits — exactly what's outlined in CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023, the federal regulation that governs e-scooters and electric bicycles across Brazil.

Officers observed whether the equipment:

  • Operated on bike paths/lanes without exceeding 20 km/h — São Paulo's local limit
  • Had a motor rated at 1,000 W maximum nominal power (to be considered self-propelled without requiring a driver's license)
  • Didn't exceed 32 km/h maximum factory speed — the federal ceiling
  • Stayed within dimension limits: up to 70 cm wide and up to 130 cm between axles
  • Operated on appropriate roads for that equipment type

If an e-scooter or e-bike exceeded any of these limits, it would be classified as a motorized bicycle — requiring a driver's license, registration plates, registration, and insurance.

Fines and next steps

Anyone caught violating the rules will pay R$ 130.16 (approximately USD 26) — the amount already set by São Paulo's regulation. But CET signaled that the first phase is educational. This means that while education is producing results, fines will come later.

Other cities have learned this lesson. Rio de Janeiro and Taubaté, for example, have their own requirements — such as mandatory helmet use (a rule that doesn't appear in Resolution 996/2023, but municipalities can require it). Maringá, through Municipal Law 11.981/2025, set its own more restrictive speed limits: 6 km/h on sidewalks and parks, 20 km/h on bike paths.

How this affects e-scooter riders in Maringá

Enforcement in São Paulo is a clear signal that 2026 marks the end of the gray zone for micro-mobility in Brazil. In Maringá, the city had already regulated the activity — and now neighboring states and municipalities are catching up.

If you ride an e-scooter here, following the rules is no longer optional:

  • 20 km/h maximum on bike paths and lanes
  • 6 km/h maximum on sidewalks, plazas, and parks
  • Helmet mandatory (per Law 11.981/2025)
  • Have a working speedometer, bell, and night lights
  • Don't ride on high-speed or expressways