Paris has introduced fines for riding electric scooters without a helmet
In Paris, riders of private electric scooters face fines for failing to comply with new safety rules. From now on, when riding on public roads, they are required to wear a certified helmet and a reflective vest.
The fine for not wearing a helmet is 135 euros, and for not wearing a vest or reflective elements, it is 35 euros. The rules also apply to users of other personal electric vehicles, including electric unicycles and hoverboards, according to BBC News.
The stricter requirements are a response to the rising number of serious and fatal accidents. According to the French road safety agency, 79 people died in accidents involving electric scooters last year—up from 45 the year before. In Paris last year, approximately 1,100 people were injured in such accidents, a 33% increase from the previous year.
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Electric scooter rentals were banned in Paris in 2023 for safety reasons, though the use of privately owned scooters in the city is permitted. The decision to ban rental services was made in a citywide referendum: 90% of participants voted in favor, although voter turnout was only 8% of the total electorate.
Restrictions are already in place in Paris for electric scooter riders: individuals under the age of 14 are not allowed to use them, carrying passengers is prohibited, and the maximum speed is limited to 25 km/h. Helmets and reflective vests are also mandatory in several French regions, including Seine-et-Marne, Alpes-Maritimes, and Vaucluse.
