After recording hundreds of accidents and receiving complaints of congested streets, the French government asked Parisians to vote on a potential ban for rented e-scooters. The result could prompt other European cities to do the same.
When they first started popping up on city streets, rentable e-scooters seemed like a great alternative to emission-heavy vehicles and crowded public transportation.
The devices, which are electric and can be rented by anyone who has a debit card and smartphone, are far better for the environment than cars. When charged by renewable energy sources, they produce virtually zero emissions.
As a result, it didn’t take long before thousands of them started popping up across European cities. With 15,000 e-scooters currently dotting the streets of Paris, it wasn’t long before complaints over public safety and compliance with driving laws started pouring in.
After much consideration, the government asked locals in the capital to vote on whether e-scooter rental services should continue. The results of the referendum held on April 2nd revealed a surprisingly unanimous decision.
Nearly 90 percent of people who voted said that they support a move to ban the devices. It is expected that the pending ban might encourage neighbouring cities to do the same.
It should be noted that the referendum did not receive a full turnout by Paris’ 1.6 million eligible voters.
However, long queues were seen leading to ballot boxes at 21 polling stations, in what local councils called a ‘rare public consultation’ by the government. The turnout was heavily dominated by people from older age groups.
Still, many French teenagers not yet able to vote seem to agree with the decision of their older counterparts. They say that e-scooters can be ‘scary’ as those riding them often swerve in and out of traffic and onto sidewalks in an unpredictable manner.
Speed is also an issue. Rented e-scooters can reach up to 20 km/h, but many areas have seen the devices automatically reduce to 10 km/h. In most cases, they have been programmed to shut off in public parks and can only be parked in specific areas.
Despite this, concerns over the safety of riders, drivers, and pedestrians mounted. The speeds they can reach has been deemed ‘too fast’ and have been cited as the reason for hundreds of recorded accidents.
In fact, at least 24 people died while using e-scooters in France in 2021, with 337 additional incidents reported. The danger of using e-scooters is higher than normal vehicles, as those using them are less likely to be wearing helmets and are more likely to be intoxicated.
Social and environmental menaces
E-scooters also become an inconvenience for pedestrians as they tend to be parked in an inconsiderate manner.
The devices clutter sidewalks and are left randomly in open walking spaces such as city squares and high streets. Some voters called e-scooters ‘their worst enemy,’ saying there is no more room for pedestrians.
Ironically, e-scooters have added to the city’s pollution problem. Reports of people throwing them into the Seine river once finished riding them continue to stack up. I don’t imagine the environmentally friendly argument for e-scooters stands up once they’re underwater.
In recent months, the deputy mayor of Paris shared the opinion that the ‘nuisances caused by scooters now outweigh the advantages to the city.’
Meanwhile, the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo said she believes ‘self-service scooters are a source of tension and worry,’ and stands in favour of the ban. Instead, she supports cycling and bike-sharing.
In this light, it’s likely electronically-motorised push bikes will still be available for rent – especially as Paris has just installed 180km of additional bike paths to make its city 100 percent cyclable.
A small percentage of locals aren’t too happy about the result. They say e-scooters offered a simple and efficient way to get around the city. Others who have invested in personal e-scooters say the ban creates confusion about whether they are allowed to continue using them.
It’s likely that more clarification on the incoming ban will be provided in the coming months, as the devices will not disappear from Paris overnight. They will remain around for the summer, with the ban being implemented from September 1st of this year.
It’s only a matter of time before we find out whether neighbouring European cities will make a similar move.
Deputy Editor & Content Partnership ManagerLondon, UK
I’m Jessica (She/Her). I’m the Deputy Editor & Content Partnership Manager at Thred. Originally from the island of Bermuda, I specialise in writing about ocean health and marine conservation, but you can also find me delving into pop culture, health and wellness, plus sustainability in the beauty and fashion industries. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.
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