Imagine a bustling Parisian street, a diverse array of buildings, and the ever-enchanting Seine. Self-service rental e-scooters once seamlessly navigated the urban fabric against this stunning backdrop. They provided a different method of transportation for locals and visitors alike. Today, however, marks a turning point in the story as Paris bids farewell to its two-wheeled friends. It is certainly a significant turning point in the city’s search for transportation alternatives. Following a resounding vote by the citizens of the French capital, the decision to outlaw these electric scooters was made.
Self-Service Rental E-Scooters Banned In Paris
Three major e-scooter rental companies, Lime, Dott, and Tier, had collectively deployed approximately 15,000 e-scooters across Paris. However, these e-scooters are no longer permitted in the city as of the ban’s enforcement date. However, the private e-scooters, owned by individuals, remain unaffected by the ban, differentiating them from the shared, self-service e-scooters.
The ban was supported by nearly 90% of the over 103,000 Parisians who voted in April. It was a significant victory for road safety advocates and residents alike. As per the reports from Sky News, the driving force behind the ban was the alarming increase in accidents and injuries involving e-scooter riders. In the previous year, Paris witnessed three fatalities and 459 injuries linked to e-scooters. In comparison to the one fatality and 353 injuries recorded in 2021, the rise was significant.
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Parisians Chose Road Safety Over Convenience
When a tragic accident occurred, the decision to ban self-service rental e-scooters gained further momentum. A 12-year-old girl lost her life in a collision with a car while riding an electric scooter in Chessy, an eastern suburb of Paris. This heartbreaking incident underscored the urgent need for greater safety measures and stricter regulations.
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Moreover, beyond safety concerns, rental e-scooters were also widely criticized by residents for being an eyesore and a nuisance on the city’s streets. Their “free-floating” system, which allowed riders to pick up and drop off e-scooters randomly throughout the city, had contributed to the clutter and inconvenience. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo had long been an advocate for the banishment of rental e-scooters, citing not only safety concerns but also public disturbances and environmental issues.
The ban marks a significant shift in the city’s approach to urban mobility.
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