Parisians overwhelmingly voted to ban electric scooter rentals from Paris’ streets, in a poll that officials said would be implemented.
This is a win for road safety campaigners. It comes after an increase in fatalities and injuries among e-scooters.
E-scooters were responsible for three deaths and 459 injuries in Paris last year. This compares to only one fatality in 2021 and 353 injuries in 2021.
Anne Hidalgo, Paris Mayor, stated that the result of the not-binding referendum was “our roadmap” and promised to implement the ban.
Nearly 90% of more than 103,000 voters voted in favor of banning e-scooters. The poll was open to approximately 1.38 million voters. The poll was held on the same day that the Paris marathon.
“The Parisians who spoke overwhelmingly opposed self-service scooters,” Ms Hidalgo stated.
“Their very clear message is now our roadmap. Together with my team, I will ensure that they follow through as I promised.
Since 2018, self-service electric scooters that can be accessed via smartphone apps have been in Paris.
Officials reduced the number of scooter operators from four to three in 2020 after complaints grew about the manner the scooters were used.
Tier, Lime, and Dott provide the city’s 15,000-strong fleet to rent e-scooters.
Operators were granted a three year contract and required to limit scooter speeds to 20kmph (12.4mph)
The contracts also included designated scooter parking areas. They will be in effect until September.
Operators fought the ban with additional regulations that included checking users were at least 18 years old and fixing scooter licence plates so police could identify offenders.
Sky News has more information:
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Parisians stated that they prefer tighter regulations to a ban.
Social media influencers claimed that electric scooters offer a safer way to travel home at night, as there is no night service on Paris Metro.
Others supported the ban and claimed that scooters were creating chaos in Paris due to “the danger” or “visual pollution” they bring to the streets.
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