Parisians will be invited to vote on whether to allow electric scooter rental services to continue operating in the French capital as authorities consider a ban on the controversial for-hire vehicles, the city’s mayor said.
The issue is “extremely divisive,” Anne Hidalgo told the weekend edition of Le Parisien newspaper, with critics saying bikers show little respect for the rules of the road.
They often defy pavement bans or park recklessly, while some abandon scooters in parks or even throw them into the Seine.
Meanwhile, fans are praising the fast fleets – a total of 15,000 scooters run by rental companies Lime, Dott and Tier – as a fast, non-polluting alternative to cars or crowded public transport.
Hidalgo said Parisians would be asked a “very simple question” in the referendum planned for April 2: “Do we continue or not with free-floating rental scooters?”
The mayor said that she herself is inclined to a ban, but will respect the vote of Parisians.
A ban would make Paris an exception among major cities.
In September, the capital already threatened the three operators with not renewing their licenses, which expire in March, unless they curb reckless driving and other “abuses”.
In November, operators came up with a number of proposals for improvements, including equipping the scooters with number plates that would make it easier to track drivers running red lights or traveling in pairs in single-occupancy vehicles – both common offences.
Sign up to This is Europe
The most important stories and debates for Europeans – from identity to the economy to the environment
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertisements and content funded by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to secure our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
David Belliard, Hidalgo’s deputy in charge of urban transport, still said the cost-benefit analysis was not in favor of the rental schemes. “They are disruptive and dangerous,” he said, saying he supported the ban to “pacify our streets and sidewalks.”
There was “too much negative feedback” from citizens about the scooters, he said.
Hidalgo meanwhile told Le Parisien that private scooters, also hugely popular in the capital, were not the target of the referendum. They are “not a problem,” she said.
Add Comment