Paris becomes first European city to give e-scooters the boot

However, the low turnout of just 7.5 percent in the referendum left some questioning the democratic legitimacy of the decision when it was first announced back in May. French Transport Minister Clement Beaune scathingly described the vote as "a massive democratic flop". 

Similarly, scooter operators Lime, Dott and Tier criticised the "restrictive voting methods”, which led to the low turnout, skewed towards older age groups, and labelled the move as a “step back” in France’s net zero journey ahead of the 2024 Olympics.

The ban has prompted scooter operators to remove their 15,000 scooters from public streets, with a plan to send these scooters to other cities in Europe and beyond. Some scooters will remain in the wider Ile-de-France region around Paris, with Tier offering services in suburbs like Marne-la-Vallee and Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

Electric scooters were introduced to the city five years ago and found popularity among Parisian residents and tourists looking for a convenient alternative to public transport. These scooters could be leased and left at various locations throughout the city by riders, a system often referred to as "free-floating." 

Calls for the ban came following a rise in scooter-related accidents in France over the past few years. Last year, 459 accidents were reported in Paris, including three fatal ones, compared to 353 injuries and one fatality in 2021. 

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo had campaigned against the scooters, citing their "nuisance" factor. David Belliard, the Deputy Paris Mayor in charge of urban mobility, echoed this sentiment, emphasising that despite efforts by scooter operators to address concerns, the case against the rental scooters was compelling. "There was some progress, but the bottom line is still negative. The anarchy was quite unbearable."

On a national level, France's government increased the minimum age for riding electric scooters from 12 to 14 and introduced heavier fines for traffic violations due to a rise in accidents involving these vehicles.

The ban on rented electric scooters in Paris reflects the ongoing debate over the role of such convenient but potentially disruptive mobility options in urban environments. While some mourn the loss of this efficient and eco-friendly mode of transport, others see the ban as a step toward addressing safety and nuisance concerns on city streets.