In a binding referendum, Parisians voted to ban electric rental scooters. Nearly 90 percent of the votes were in favor of such a ban, but turnout was limited, as expected: Less than 8 percent of the nearly 1.4 million eligible voters were able to make their voices heard.
Five years ago, Paris was one of the first major European cities to launch electric rental scooters. The fast, quiet and inexpensive mode of transport is more popular in Paris on average than in other cities, but despite the stricter regulations previously introduced, many accidents occur with this method. Nearly 500 people were injured in scooter accidents last year.
Some of the scooters can reach speeds of up to around 30 kilometers per hour, and many users do not wear helmets in busy and sometimes chaotic Paris traffic. In addition, there are complaints about the footprint of scooters on the sidewalks that are already starting to fill with pedestrians in many places.
The mayor thinks it’s expensive
For this reason, the municipal administration wants to get rid of the steps. Socialist Mayor Hidalgo, himself a strong supporter of cycling, announced a mandatory referendum in January. While using her own game, the woman said, “I will respect the choice of the voters, it’s that simple”, stating that the cost of the scooters is 5 euros per ten minutes, which is too much for her. Previously, she had condemned the devices’ lack of durability.
To gain votes, the biggest scooter rental companies yesterday allowed their users to roam the city for free. They also urged Parisians to vote against the ban on rental scooters on social media.
Around 15,000 electric scooters can be rented through apps in Paris. Around 100,000 trips are made every day in rental scooters in around 200 cities across France.
Source: NOS
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
