The suppression of the rental of electric scooters in Paris, decided in April by referendum, came into force this Friday, the date on which the French Government also tightened the rules for the use of this means of transport in the country.
An estimated 15,000 electric scooters were circulating on the streets of Paris, operated by companies such as Lime, Dott and Tier, whose operating contracts expired on September 1.
The renewal of the bonds was the subject of a vote in April by the citizens, with 89% of the participants voting against, although less than 08% of the voters had voted.
The City Council, headed by the socialist president Anne Hidalgo, nevertheless accepted the result, after a year of 2022 in which scooters (rented or private) were involved in 459 accidents, which resulted in three deaths and 426 injuries. twice as much as in 2019. , according to data from the municipality.
The disappearance of this means of rental mobility in Paris – private vehicles continue to be authorized – coincided with the publication of a measure by the government of President Emmanuel Macron, which reinforces the conditions of use of these vehicles.
The Ministry of the Interior, responsible for Transport, has increased the legal age for driving scooters from 12 to 14 years and has increased the sanctions in case of “risk behavior” by users, the guardianship announced today.
It was also determined that the transport of another passenger in one of these motor vehicles is punishable by a fine of 135 euros, instead of the previous 35 euros.
The fines imposed for driving on certain prohibited roads were also increased, such as the use of lanes for cars when there is a lane for bicycles.
The tours are not included in the hardening of the sanctions, since their use was already punished with 135 euros.
The raising of the age of use of electric scooters comes after a 12-year-old girl who was driving one in Chessy, east of Paris, died on Wednesday when she was struck by a car while crossing a zebra crossing.
Source: TSF
