Where Can You Ride an E-Scooter? Speed Limits and Regulations in Maringá

You just bought an electric scooter and want to know where you can ride without getting in trouble? That's a legitimate question — and the answer varies by city. In Maringá (a mid-sized city in Paraná State, Southern Brazil), municipal regulation (Law nº 11.981/2025) clearly defines where you can and cannot ride, maximum speeds, and mandatory equipment. This guide covers everything: from bike paths to important restrictions, plus federal rules that apply across all of Brazil. If you want to ride safely and legally, keep reading.

Bike Paths and Bike Lanes: 20 km/h Speed Limit

Bike paths and bike lanes are the safest and most legal place to ride your e-scooter in Maringá. But here's the catch: maximum speed of 20 km/h (about 12 mph). This means you need to dial back your speed — most electric scooters allow this limit through adjustable speed controls or riding modes. Many specialty shops, like Patinep Store, already sell models with adjustable speed control for this purpose.

On bike paths, you have the legal right to ride, but you must respect pedestrians and other cyclists. Always wear a helmet — it's mandatory in Maringá.

Sidewalks, Plazas, and Parks: Maximum 6 km/h

Want to ride on the sidewalk or in a park? It's allowed, but speed is limited to 6 km/h (about 4 mph) — practically a walking pace with your scooter. The law's goal is to protect pedestrians in these shared spaces.

In Maringá's public parks, like Parque do Ingá (a popular local green space), you can use your scooter, but keep your speed reduced. A bell and attention to others around you are essential.

Regular Traffic Roads: Up to 40 km/h Speed Limit Roads

Want to ride on regular streets? Maringá's law allows it — but only on roads with speed limits of 40 km/h or less (about 25 mph). This excludes expressways, high-speed streets, and any road where traffic moves faster.

The logic is simple: your scooter shouldn't be in a place where cars are moving much faster. Plus, your scooter's maximum technical speed is 32 km/h under federal rules (about 20 mph), so on 40 km/h roads you'll always be slower than car traffic.

Mandatory Equipment to Ride Legally

You can't just ride your scooter anywhere. The law requires:

• Helmet — mandatory on any road or public space
• Speed indicator — your scooter must display your current speed
• Bell or horn — to warn pedestrians and other users
• Night lighting — lights or reflectors for nighttime riding

Quality e-scooters, like the brands we carry (Foston, Bee Green, and Panda), come with these features from the factory. But always verify before buying — missing equipment can result in fines.

Where You CANNOT Ride: Clear Prohibitions

There are places where e-scooters are simply forbidden:

• High-speed expressways — like major avenues with high speeds (above 40 km/h)
• Highways — never
• Roads with elevated speeds — any street where vehicles travel at high speeds
• Inside closed establishments — shopping malls, supermarkets (generally not permitted)

If you're unsure whether a road is permitted, playing it safe is your best option. When in doubt, stick to bike paths or quiet residential streets with low speed limits.

Federal Regulations: What Applies Across All of Brazil

Beyond Maringá's local laws, federal rules (CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023) apply nationwide:

• Driver's License (CNH) — not required for e-scooters up to 32 km/h. However, you must be at least 16 years old to ride unsupervised
• Insurance — not mandatory for personal e-scooters in Brazil
• Registration — electric scooters with motors under 250W don't need registration
• Safety — helmets and lights are essential across all states