France Weighs Tougher Rules for E-Scooters as Safety Concerns Grow

The French government is preparing to introduce stricter regulations for electric scooters in response to a rising number of accidents involving the vehicles. Officials say the new measures are intended to improve road safety while supporting the continued use of e-scooters as an environmentally friendly form of transportation.

Electric scooter has become increasingly popular across France in recent years. Many people use them for short daily trips because they are convenient, affordable, and produce no direct emissions. Supporters see them as an important part of cleaner urban transportation and believe they can help reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

At the same time, the rapid growth in e-scooter use has raised concerns about public safety. Reports of dangerous riding, collisions, and fatal accidents have drawn increasing attention from both the public and policymakers.

Rising Number of Accidents Prompts Government Action

Although some regulations governing electric scooters are already in place, officials say the existing framework is inconsistent and does not fully address the challenges created by the growing number of users. To tackle these issues, French Transport Minister Clément Beaune presented a national plan on March 29 aimed at strengthening the regulation of electric scooters across the country.

Government data show that serious accidents involving users of motorized personal transport devices, including electric scooters, increased by 38 percent between 2021 and 2022. More than 2.5 million people in France now use e-scooters on a regular basis.

In June 2022, a tragic accident occurred in Nice: a five-year-old Ukrainian boy was struck and killed by a speeding electric scooter on the Promenade des Anglais. This incident intensified public debate and renewed calls for stricter safety measures.

Proposed Measures Focus on Safety and Enforcement

The government's proposal centers on preventing dangerous behavior through stricter enforcement. It would raise the minimum legal riding age from 12 to 14 and increase fines for illegal riding or using prohibited areas from €35 to €135. Officials believe tougher penalties will encourage greater compliance with traffic regulations.

The plan also calls for the creation of a National Micromobility Observatory to collect information on scooter usage, accident rates, and environmental impacts. Authorities say the data will support future policymaking and help assess the effectiveness of safety measures.

Shared Scooter Operators Face Greater Responsibility

Companies will be expected to remind users of their obligations under the French Highway Code and encourage safe riding before every trip.

French authorities hope the new regulations will balance the benefits of sustainable urban transportation with the need to improve road safety. By combining stricter enforcement, better data collection, and stronger public awareness, the government aims to reduce accidents while supporting the continued growth of electric scooter use across the country.

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