For decades, shared electrical scooters have become a ubiquitous feature on the streets and sidewalks of Paris, their presence now an integral part of the city’s urban landscape. Although scooter regulations have been strict, they’ve still been warmly received in town as an innovative means of transport. As time passed, however, the issue of shared e-scooters evolved into a highly contentious topic, largely due to the increasing proliferation of these vehicles in urban areas. After a contentious vote, Paris has sealed its fate by outlawing rental e-scooters, bringing an abrupt end to what had been a tumultuous chapter in the city’s history of shared two-wheeled transportation.
Electric scooters are lightweight, two-wheeled vehicles powered by electricity, capable of reaching speeds up to 15 miles per hour in European markets.
Recognition of their utility has surged globally over the past five years, especially in urban centers where they’re employed as a quick and convenient mode of transportation.
Unlike privately owned electric scooters that may be either locked externally or commonly carried within riders’ homes or places of work, shared electric scooters are unencumbered and freely floating devices. Electric scooters are unfolding around cities where they’re rented by the minute using a smartphone app.
Three shared scooter companies, Lime, Tier, and Dott, currently hold permits from the city of Paris to operate up to 5,000 scooters within the metropolitan area.
Parisian Mayor Anne Hidalgo, a long-time advocate for restricting car traffic, spearheaded an April 1 referendum to prohibit shared e-scooters from operating within the city’s limits.
Despite a dismal voter turnout of around 8%, nearly 90% of those who cast ballots chose to prohibit shared e-scooters. As a response to mounting pressure, shared e-scooter corporations had submitted petitions to the town council, advocating for digital voting methods as a means to ensure the safe and inclusive participation of the predominantly youthful demographic, comprising 18-24 year olds who are the primary users of their services. Their request was denied.
By September 30, all shared electrical scooters must be removed from public spaces and streets. The ban will not impact privately owned electric scooters, with over 1 million currently in use across France.
What a divisive device? The shared electric scooter has sparked debate among city dwellers, with some hailing its convenience and others lamenting its disruptions. Proponents argue that these scooters provide an eco-friendly alternative to traditional transportation methods, offering a reliable and affordable way to navigate congested streets. Detractors counter that the influx of scooters clogs sidewalks, puts pedestrians at risk, and contributes to urban chaos.
Depending on whom you ask, shared electrical scooters in Paris have been both a curse and a boon.
Hundreds of abandoned electrical scooters cluttered the town’s sidewalks and pedestrian zones, fuelling opposition to their presence. Riders frequently disregarded visitor guidelines, leaving scooters in unauthorized areas, while others protested the e-scooter initiative by dumping their vehicles into the Seine River, exacerbating the existing pollution issue.
Scooters carelessly abandoned on their sides created a significant obstacle course for pedestrians, exacerbating challenges faced by those with mobility impairments who already struggled to navigate sidewalks.
According to reports from Paris, the city witnessed three fatalities and more than 400 accidents involving e-scooters within the last 12 months.
While some may argue against shared electric scooters in the city, advocates point to their convenience as a practical and effortless alternative mode of transport in Paris. Residents often opt for shared e-scooters as an alternative mode of transportation within urban areas, providing a convenient and environmentally friendly solution for short-distance commutes. Compared to private electric scooters, shared e-scooters alleviate the issue of theft, a common concern in large cities such as Paris.
Ultimately, the issue came down to a profound gap between generations. Youthful residents, who comprised the vast majority of shared e-scooter users, were significantly more inclined to resist the ban, while older metropolitan dwellers, who occasionally utilized alternative modes of transport, tended to support a prohibition on shared e-scooters.
Paris main the car-free motion
Although Paris has made significant strides without shared e-scooters, the city still plays a vital role in promoting sustainable transportation options and reducing automobile usage in urban areas.
Paris has a popular municipal bicycle and electric bike rental service, and last year it implemented a ban on motorized vehicles in much of its historic city center.
Under the new regulations, automobiles banned will include the majority of privately owned vehicles used primarily for individual transportation. Exceptions are expected to be made for public vehicles, residents living within designated areas, delivery personnel, and individuals seeking essential services such as shopping. Despite numerous exemptions, the transition is expected to remove around half of all vehicles from city centers’ roads.
