TOP STORIES 🔥

 🛴 Bird challenges Florence over ban

Bird has filed a legal challenge against Florence's decision to ban shared scooters from 1st April 2026, citing significant inconsistencies in the municipal resolution approved in November 2025.

The city justified the ban primarily on road safety concerns, including compliance with Italy's stricter helmet rules under the revised Highway Code, and issues like improper parking and scooters on pavements or in bus lanes. Bird contests the classification of its service as "free-floating", arguing it operates via fixed parking stations as agreed with the city, which fundamentally alters the service's risk profile and the basis for the ban. The company also criticises the city's approach as hostile to micromobility operators and notes support from industry associations and environmental groups.

Prague (CZ) banned scooters in January, and other cities that have banned scooters include Madrid (ES) and Paris (FR).

 🤔 Nextbike’s future in Berlin

Last week, we reported that nextbike would be unable to continue operating in Berlin (DE) after a decision from the Higher Administrative Court. However, the Leipzig-based company planned to continue its service.

We approached the nextbike team for a statement:

Berlin is in danger of falling behind other European cities. While bike sharing is already an integral part of public services in other major cities such as London and Paris, the current model in the capital is leading to a patchy service. High prices and inadequate coverage of the outskirts are preventing socially equitable and sustainable mobility for all citizens.

"We must accept the decision of the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court and will apply for a special use permit for the bikes within the deadline,“ confirms Sebastian Popp, CEO of nextbike. He continues: ”We are calling for a fair differentiation of the special use fees: since the classic bicycle has a much higher social benefit than other micro-mobility offerings, it must also be considered separately."

LAUNCHES & EXPANSIONS 🚀

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CITY UPDATES 🌐

Bremen (DE) | City wants that if operators fail to remove improperly parked scooters in a timely manner, they will be removed at their expense.

Bologna (IT) | Vandals are cutting the brakes on shared bikes.

Florence (IT) | Bird takes the city to court over the scooter ban.

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