Electric scooter riders in Paris who fail to comply with the new safety rules will now face hefty fines, as the police are attempting to put "put the brakes" on the rising number of traffic accidents in the French capital.
According to data from the French road safety agency released on Saturday, last year 79 people lost their lives in accidents involving electric scooters, marking a sharp increase compared to the 45 deaths the previous year.
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As part of measures to address the “alarming increase in serious and fatal accidents,” the use of an approved helmet and a reflective vest is now mandatory for anyone riding on public roads.
Those who fail to comply will be fined 135 euros for not wearing a helmet, while the fine for not wearing a vest or reflectors is 35 euros. The new measures also cover other personal mobility devices, such as electric unicycles and hoverboards.
Increase in Injuries Despite Ban on Rental Devices
Official figures show that approximately 1,100 people were injured in accidents involving electric scooters in Paris last year, marking a 33% increase compared to the previous year.
This increase comes despite the fact that Paris banned shared electric scooters in 2023 for safety reasons, allowing only the use of privately owned vehicles.
Scooters remain particularly popular for getting around the city, where narrow streets often cause traffic congestion. According to the European Union, France has the highest rate of electric scooter ownership in Europe. By 2023, an estimated 2.5 million people owned a scooter, and since then hundreds of thousands more have been purchased, with a large portion of them concentrated in the capital.
It should be noted that in Paris, there is already a ban on use by people under 14 years of age, carrying passengers is prohibited, and the speed limit is set at 25 km/h.
The mandatory use of helmets and safety vests was already in effect in various French regions, such as Seine-et-Marne, Alpes-Maritimes, and Vaucluse.
The Wave of Bans in Europe
Paris was one of the first cities to embrace electric scooters, but growing concerns about dangerous riding and the occupation of sidewalks led to a ban on rental fleets. The decision was made following a referendum in which 90% of participants voted in favor of the ban, despite a low turnout of just 8%.
Other European cities followed the example set by the French capital, with Madrid set to ban shared scooters in 2024 and Brussels having announced similar measures.
Source: skai.gr
