When it comes to sustainable mobility, the efficiency of a service is measured by the widespread availability of vehicles on the roads as well as by strict compliance with the regulatory framework. It was this delicate balance that led to the definitive breakdown in relations between the City of Milan and Bird Rides Italy, an operator in the electric scooter-sharing sector. City Hall has ordered the formal revocation of the authorization with immediate effect, bringing to an end the company’s presence in the city, which had lasted since August 2024.
The decision stems from the fleet’s failure to comply with recent national regulations. Decree No. 110/2026 of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation introduced the requirement to install an identification plate on all electric scooters in circulation as of May 17, 2026. This measure is designed to ensure traceability and safety in public spaces, and sharing companies were required to comply promptly.
AMAT Inspections and the Map of Irregularities
Field inspections conductedby the Agency for Mobility, Environment, and Territory (AMAT) on behalf of the City revealed a significant rate of noncompliance. Between May and June, out of a sample of 36 vehicles inspected, 21 were found to be lacking the identification sticker required by law. Subsequent inspections conducted in early July confirmed that the problem persists in various areas of the Lombard capital.
The final decision came at the end of a straightforward administrative process. After the initial reminders, the operator had committed to completing the compliance by the end of June. Upon confirming that the non-compliant vehicles remained in service, on July 1 the City issued a formal notice giving the operator three days to submit a definitive and binding compliance plan. Having received no adequate assurances within the specified timeframe, the administration terminated the concession agreement.
A recurring pattern and the remaining fleet
This is not the first forced change in management for the Milanese fleet: Bird itself had taken over in the summer of 2024 following the removal of two previous operators, who were also ousted by Palazzo Marino for failing to comply with the commitments set forth in the public tender.
However, the operator’s withdrawal will not result in a disruption of service for residents. The continuity of shared micromobility remains guaranteed by the other two authorized operators in the municipal area, Dott and Lime, which maintain a combined fleet of 4,000 devices that comply with the latest regulations.
