Paris has officially banned electric rental scooters from its streets, with the last of the 15,000 e-scooters being removed on Thursday. The ban came into effect on Friday after the expiration of the scooter operators’ contracts. Paris was one of the first European cities to adopt e-scooter rentals five years ago, but it has now become the first to ban them after an April referendum showed that 90% of voters wanted them gone.
The referendum saw a low turnout, with just 7.5% of residents casting a ballot. The rental companies complained about the “restrictive voting methods,” arguing that the decision is taking the city back to the public-transit dark ages, especially with the upcoming 2024 Olympics. However, Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who previously supported e-scooter shares, championed the ban. It is important to note that the ban does not affect private vehicles.
For years, e-scooters, particularly the street rentals popular among tourists and children (who could legally ride them from the age of 12 until the minimum age was increased to 14 in March), have been a nuisance for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. They often weave through traffic, clutter pavements, and travel at speeds that are too fast for walkers but too slow for drivers, reaching up to 17 mph (27 km/h).
There were three deaths related to e-scooter accidents in 2022 alone, along with 459 injuries. This marked an increase compared to 2021 when there was only one fatality and 353 injuries. One notable accident in 2021 gained international attention when a 31-year-old Italian woman was killed after an e-scooter carrying two people collided with her. While rideshare advocates argue that e-scooters account for only a small percentage of overall traffic accidents in Paris, the city has already implemented measures to address the issue. In 2019 and 2020, Paris imposed speed limits, tracking systems, and fines up to €1,500 ($1,617) for violations. Additionally, high-visibility clothing requirements were introduced, and riders were fined for leaving scooters in the street after use.
Despite these measures, complaints about the chaotic nature of e-scooters persisted. Mayor Hidalgo changed her stance on the rideshares, calling for the referendum in April and criticizing their unsustainability, danger, and high cost of €5 ($5.40) for ten minutes of use. As a result of the ban, the rental companies operating e-scooter shares, such as Dott, Lime, and Tier, plan to relocate their Paris stocks to other European cities with more permissive regulations, including within France.
The ban on electric rental scooters in Paris marks a significant move in addressing the concerns surrounding these vehicles and prioritizing the safety and convenience of residents and visitors. While it may inconvenience some tourists and enthusiasts, the decision reflects the city’s commitment to creating a more harmonious and orderly urban environment.
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