Parisians are given a voice to ban e-scooters from city streets after a spate of fatal accidents
- Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said “extremely divisive” scooters would be voted on
- A ban would make Paris an exception among many European cities
- 24 people died in 2021, including one in Paris: that was more than ten in 2019
Parisians have a chance to vote on whether the city should ban the use of electric scooters after a spike in fatal accidents.
The mayor of Paris, an e-scooter critic, said the “extremely divisive” scooters would be the subject of a referendum. Anne Hidalgo said “a very simple question” in the referendum – scheduled for April 2 – would be: “Should we go ahead with free-floating rental scooters or not?”
A ban would make Paris an exception among many European cities.
The mayor of Paris, an e-scooter critic, said the “extremely divisive” scooters would be the subject of a referendum. file image
The three e-scooter operators in the city have already been threatened with non-renewal of their licenses if they don’t curb dangerous driving and other “abuses”.
E-scooters have been involved in thousands of accidents in France. According to official figures, 24 people died in 2021, including one in Paris. This was an increase from ten in 2019 and seven in 2020.
License plates have been proposed as a solution to combat people abusing the service.
David Belliard, Miss Hidalgo’s deputy in charge of urban transport, said: “They are in the way and they are dangerous”, adding he favored a ban to “pacify our streets and sidewalks”.
Representatives of the right and the Greens have also signaled their support for a ban.