In a nutshell: You’ll have to tough it on foot – or possibly hire a motorbike – in your subsequent tour of The Metropolis of Mild. Practically 90 % of votes forged in a latest referendum had been in favor of banning battery-powered scooters within the French capital. It’s a sizable margin however maybe the numbers reveal that most individuals didn’t appear to care come what may. Of town’s 1.38 million registered voters, solely about 103,000 participated within the vote.
In line with the BBC, Paris was one of many first main cities to undertake e-scooter leases however it will appear as most imagine they’ve accomplished extra hurt than good. The publication cited mounting considerations over reckless driving of scooters and the truth that many riders don’t put on helmets. Others took problem with parked scooters cluttering up parks and different public areas, and taking on areas usually reserved for automobiles or bikes. Individuals as younger as 12 can legally hire an e-scooter in Paris, the BBC famous.
Now, Paris is the primary main European metropolis to show in opposition to the stylish mobility aids.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who supported the ban, introduced the vote again in January. “I am dedicated to respecting the selection of voters, purely and easily,” the mayor said, including that scooter leases had been each costly and the reason for numerous accidents.
Three of town’s largest scooter rental suppliers – Tier, Dott and Lime – leveraged their attain on social media to try to get youthful voters out to the polls. They even provided free rides to voters on voting day however clearly, the advertising and marketing push didn’t have a lot of an impression on voter turnout.
It’s price mentioning that the referendum solely included e-scooter leases, and that privately owned two-wheeler scooters weren’t concerned.
Hidalgo advised The Washington Post that Paris will ban self-service scooter leases beginning September 1, which is in the future after town’s present contract with operators expires.