The Paris city hall decided to limit the speed regulation of electric scooters to 10 km/h on June 30, 2021. It therefore forces the three operators holding the monopoly on electric scooter rentals in free floating to restrict their devices to 10 km/h. Otherwise, their contract will not be renewed after 2022.
Certain areas of the capital are already subject to this regime (Les Halles, Bastille, or République). But it remains to be seen what the evolution and final outcome of this new regulation imposing restricted electric scooters in Paris will be.
Paris wants to transform transport in public spaces
The French capital is undergoing a real transition towards more ecological, economical, and practical mobility.
Many Parisians have decided to follow this transition movement by turning more towards electric mobility. Notably the essential electric scooter in free floating, very practical for short trips, the first and last kilometers of daily routes.
In June 2018, the electric scooters in free floating took over the sidewalks of the city of Paris. In three years, this phenomenon has evolved, causing reactions and unfortunate events related to unsafe user behavior.
Road traffic in Paris can sometimes be chaotic, and electric scooters contribute to this.
Beyond their disorganized and disturbing parking, their riding on sidewalks (although forbidden) and people riding with multiple passengers on the device (also forbidden), the maximum authorized speed for electric scooters is being lowered by the Paris city halls for safety reasons.
Test phase still ongoing
Since the end of June, an experimental phase of electric scooters restricted to 10 km/h has started in the large city of Paris. The speed limit of free floating electric scooters (Lime, Dott, and Tier) is automatically regulated in high pedestrian density areas of the capital.
The mayor of the Paris-Centre sector, Ariel Weil, declared to the Parisien: “It’s quite surprising. There are no more incidents like before. Which makes us want to expand the limitation areas.”
It is therefore obvious that this experiment yields positive results on the quality of road traffic in Paris. Consequently, this new restriction is being generalized throughout the capital.
Reducing the number of accidents in the city
The regulation of electric scooters restricted to 10 km/h in Paris was pronounced by the Paris city hall a few weeks after the fatal accident of a young 31-year-old pedestrian hit by an electric scooter that was moving too fast and carrying two people.
Although partially respected, there are rules regarding the use of electric scooters in public spaces.
Notably: the maximum speed on electric scooters is 25 km/h (1500 euros fine); the number of people limited to 1 per electric scooter (35 euros fine); the prohibition of riding electric scooters on sidewalks (135 euros fine).
It is necessary for the Paris city hall to take measures to promote the safety of its inhabitants and reduce the number of accidents.
Lime, Dott, and Tier threatened with permanent withdrawal
The measure of electric scooters restricted to 10 km/h in Paris mainly concerns the rental of electric scooters in free floating.
The capital embraced the rapidly growing phenomenon of electric scooters by initially allowing them to invade its streets but especially by signing a contract with these three operators chosen based on criteria in July 2020.
The contracts will expire in October 2022 and risk not being renewed if the three giants of electric scooter rental in the capital do not comply with the new regulation by restricting their devices in Paris.
Conclusion
The electric scooter restricted to 10 km/h is a decision that sparks debate. This measure calls into question the interest of renting an electric scooter in Paris to save time on daily trips.
Moreover, it is important to remember that the restriction of electric scooters to 10 km/h in the capital only concerns free floating scooters.
Isn’t it therefore more advantageous to own your own electric scooter and use it freely? We are convinced of this at Weebot, which is why we invite you to consult our article “How to choose your electric scooter,” because it is important to ask the right questions to best guide your purchase.
It remains essential to ensure safe riding by respecting the traffic code (applicable to electric scooters since 2019). Also, in terms of equipment, by favoring the use of gloves, a helmet, and by performing regular maintenance on your vehicle to ride calmly.
