Geoffrey Branger 09:23, 02 April 2023

This Sunday, Parisians will go to the polls to vote for or against self-service electric scooters. A divisive subject. While some influencers have called to vote, some of the inhabitants of the capital want more supervision. So what to expect at the end of this vote?

Parisians are called to the polls this Sunday: for or against self-service scooters? They have to decide. It is difficult to know if this consultation will mobilize and what the outcome will be, but one thing is certain, it is a divisive subject.

"There is a need for it to be supervised"

Scooter operators have put the package in recent weeks to mobilize young people, their main customers. On social networks in particular, many influencers have called to vote, for more or less good reasons.

"If self-service scooters are removed, that's more cars in Paris, but also more scooters and many more people on public transport," says an influencer. "It is an eco-responsible means of transport, there are no CO2 emissions," adds another, while a third considers that "scooters are the most romantic thing".

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But most Parisians do not share these arguments. "There are so many accidents and tourists who get on top or people who do a little anything, it annoys all Parisians a little." "I'm going to vote against it because I think it's super dangerous and there is a moment, it is also just necessary that there are rules. And the problem is that on electric scooters, people do it in a disorganized way and it becomes dangerous. There are still a lot of accidents, so there is a need for it to be supervised."

Three fatal accidents in 2022

Since 2018, some 15,000 self-service scooters have appeared on the streets of the capital. In 2022, this represents 408 accidents, including three fatalities. For Pierre Lagache, vice-president of the League against Road Violence, even more than authorizing or prohibiting, it is above all necessary to regulate new means of travel and raise awareness among users.

"The majority of scooter riders say they are unaware of the regulations and therefore drive, thinking they are in order, on the sidewalks. So there is already to raise awareness about the rules, but also to put in place controls that do not exist today."

This vote is now in Paris, but if the ban wins, other major cities could well follow suit. The 21 Parisian polling stations will be open until 19 p.m. The results are due to be announced this Sunday evening.