The date was obviously chosen to stick to the Parisian political agenda. Four days before the “citizen vote” organized by the City of Paris, on April 2, on self-service scooters, the Minister of Transport, Clément Beaune, elected deputy for the capital in June 2022, unveiled this Wednesday March 29 a “national plan” to regulate the use of electric scooters, often considered dangerous and harmful to the environment.
The ministerial announcement certainly does not only concern the tenants of Dott, Lime and Tier machines, subjects of the Parisian ballot, but also addresses the 2.5 million owners of personal scooters. A number that should continue to grow: more than 750,000 electric scooters were sold in 2022, after a record 900,000 sales in 2021, according to the Federation of Micro-Mobility Professionals (FPMM), which brings together distributors. .
The measures, taken by decree after consultation with local elected officials, the economic sector or associations advocating safer or less polluting mobility, aim to reinforce the safety of users. Thus, the minimum age of use is increased from 12 to 14 years, while the fines sanctioning dangerous behavior are reinforced. Riding two on a scooter, rolling on a sidewalk or unleashing the machine will cost 135 euros instead of 35. In addition, vehicles must be equipped with brake lights and turn signals. If the Ministry refuses to impose the wearing of helmets, the Road Safety Delegation is responsible for launching a ” awareness campaign “.
Upmarket
The electric scooter market is experiencing a move upmarket compatible with safety requirements. The FPMM notes that “scooters under 300 euros”lighter and less stable, “go from 54% of sales in 2021 to 28% in 2022”. Conversely, higher-end scooters, worth between 500 and 800 euros, constitute 20% of sales in France, compared to 6% in 2021.
The eight operators who operate in one of the 200 French cities accepting self-service scooters have also signed a “charter of commitments”. This is based on the rules imposed by most of the local authorities concerned. Operators undertake to register their vehicles and restrict speed, verify the age of their customers and penalize inconvenient parking. The charter also includes “extending the life of vehicles” and the “vehicle and battery recycling”, standards imposed by the city of Lyon, in particular, to the companies Dott and Tier. The operators also promise to use, for the removal of scooters and the exchange of batteries, “100% zero-emission logistics”in other words cargo bikes or electric cars.
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