Paris has made it compulsory for all private e‑scooter owners to wear a certified helmet and a high‑visibility vest on public roads. Failure to comply carries a €135 fine for helmets and €35 for missing vests, according to city police.
The change follows a sharp rise in e‑scooter accidents: 79 people died last year compared with 45 the year before, and more than 1,100 injuries were reported in Paris. The city had already banned rental e‑scooters in 2023 over safety concerns, but privately owned scooters remain common.
Paris’ new regulation also covers other electric personal transport devices, such as electric unicycles and hoverboards, to address the growing number of incidents on the city’s narrow streets.
The city is one of the European capitals with the highest private e‑scooter ownership, where an estimated 2.5 million French residents owned one in 2023. Paris therefore aims to minimise accidents while still allowing commuters to benefit from the convenience of private scooters.
