Parisians have voted overwhelmingly to ban rental electric scooters from the French capital, with official results showing around 90% support for the measure in a non-binding referendum. The city’s socialist mayor, Anne Hidalgo, who backed the ban, said self-service scooters were “a source of tension and worry” and that the vote would “reduce nuisance” in public spaces.
The referendum, held across 21 polling stations, asked voters: “For or against self-service scooters?” Although 1.6 million people were eligible to take part, turnout was expected to be low. Results published by the City of Paris showed the ban won between 85.77% and 91.77% of votes in the 20 districts that reported figures. Paris authorities have promised to implement the decision.
The capital has almost 15,000 rental e-scooters, operated by companies including Lime, Dott and Tier. Introduced in 2018 as part of efforts to promote non-polluting transport, the vehicles have become increasingly controversial. In 2022, three people died and 459 were injured in e-scooter accidents in Paris. Critics argue that riders flout road rules, ride on pavements and leave scooters haphazardly parked, or even thrown into the River Seine.
Some residents expressed relief. Suzon Lambert, a 50-year-old teacher, told AFP: “Scooters have become my biggest enemy. I’m scared of them. Paris has become a sort of anarchy.” Another Parisian told BFMTV: “It’s dangerous, and people use them badly. I’m fed up.” However, Linda Joèlle, 35, opposed the ban, saying: “Now that I have found an excellent way to get to work, and one that is better for the environment, they are trying to ban it.”
French transport minister Clement Beaune said he expected the vote to result in a ban, and noted that “the important consultation will be watched by a lot of other towns in France and overseas”. Operators fear a domino effect. Hadi Karam, general manager for France at Lime, said: “Paris is going against the current,” pointing to decisions to increase or extend e-scooter services in Washington, Madrid and London.
