If you own an electric scooter or are thinking about buying one, you need to know about bike lane mode (modo ciclovia). This new feature limits your speed to 20 km/h when you're on bike lanes or bike paths, as required by CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023, which has been fully enforced since January 1, 2026. The good news? You don't need a driver's license, license plate, or registration—as long as your scooter meets the self-propelled vehicle limits. In this guide, we explain everything you need to know to ride in Maringá without any headaches.
Keep reading to understand the rules, where you can legally ride, and how to get the most out of your scooter in 2026.
What is bike lane mode and why does it exist?
Bike lane mode is an electronic speed limiter that restricts your scooter to 20 km/h when you're on bike lanes or bike paths. This requirement comes from CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023, which mandates that all self-propelled vehicles manufactured now must come equipped with this feature from the factory.
Many models already offer this mode automatically, switching between a maximum speed of 32 km/h (on permitted roads) and 20 km/h on shared paths. The idea is simple: ensure safety without bureaucracy. Since the scooter comes with the technical limit built in, you don't have to worry about registration or licensing.
Where to ride an e-scooter in Maringá (complete rules)
In Maringá, Municipal Law 11.981/2025 defines the circulation rules for scooters. The 20 km/h limit applies to bike lanes and bike paths, but there are other important points you should know:
>- Sidewalks, squares, and parks: maximum speed of 6 km/h—treat these as pedestrian areas.
- Shared traffic roads: only allowed on streets with a speed limit up to 40 km/h, respecting the flow of traffic.
- High-speed roads: prohibited on any street with a speed limit above 40 km/h.
- Required equipment: speed indicator, bell, night lighting, and of course, bike lane mode.
Riding on sidewalks requires authorization from the municipal traffic authority—always follow local signage. When in doubt, prefer bike lanes and calm streets.
Driver's license, plate, and registration: what changed with the new resolution
For scooters that fit within the self-propelled limits—up to 1,000 W, 32 km/h, maximum width of 70 cm, and wheelbase of 130 cm—no driver's license, plate, or registration is required. This applies even to models with bike lane mode at 20 km/h.
Attention: if you unlock the factory speed limiter, your scooter is reclassified as a moped (4 kW/50 km/h). In that case, everything changes: you'll need a plate, a category A driver's license, and insurance. So keep your scooter original and avoid headaches.
Our recommendation: use the scooter exactly as it comes from the store. It was designed to be legal and practical for everyday use.
Is a helmet mandatory? The straight answer
CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 does not require a helmet for self-propelled vehicles, but we strongly recommend one. The difference is that helmets are mandatory for mopeds—for scooters, it's your choice (and your safety).
If you ride your scooter daily, invest in a good helmet. Besides protection, you'll ride with more confidence, especially on busy bike lanes.
Cost and range: what to expect from your scooter
A common question is about battery life. Typical scooter range is between 20 and 40 km per charge, depending on the model, rider weight, and terrain. The cost of recharging is extremely low: between R$ 0.10 and R$ 0.30 per full charge, considering Maringá's electricity tariff (about R$ 0.85/kWh).
Charging time varies from 3 to 6 hours, depending on battery capacity (36V/10Ah to 48V/13Ah). In other words, you can ride all day for pennies—much cheaper than fuel.