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If you’re thinking about investing in a new personal transportation vehicle and are undecided between an electric bike or scooter, consider the following information.
Rental scooters banned in Paris
Parisians have voted to ban rental electric scooters in the city, marking a significant blow to e-scooter operators and a triumph for road safety campaigners. Almost 90% of votes cast on Sunday favoured a ban on battery-powered devices, despite less than 8% of those eligible turning out to vote. The referendum was called in response to rising numbers of people being injured or killed on e-scooters in the French capital. Paris was one of the first cities to adopt electric scooters, but concerns grew over the way riders drove them, including weaving through traffic, dodging pedestrians on pavements, and riding without helmets. Critics also complained that groups of parked e-scooters cluttered pavements. In 2021, a 31-year-old Italian woman died after being hit by an e-scooter carrying two people.
The vote represents a significant setback for e-scooter operators, who have enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years. Lime, Dott, and Tier are among the main players in the Paris market, offering electric scooters for hire via a mobile app. The vehicles have been praised for their convenience, ease of use, and eco-friendliness, with many users opting for them over traditional modes of transport such as cars and buses. However, the vehicles have also attracted criticism from some quarters, who argue that they pose a risk to pedestrians and other road users.
Despite the low turnout, the referendum has been hailed as a victory for road safety campaigners, who have long argued that e-scooters are a menace on the streets. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo called the referendum, which allowed voters to say whether they were for or against free-floating e-scooters. Privately-owned vehicles were not part of the vote. Hidalgo, a pro-cycling Socialist leader, supported the ban and announced the vote in January to allow the people to decide.
In addition to safety concerns, there were also complaints about the way e-scooters were parked in public places. Dumped scooters had become a significant problem in Paris, with many being found in the city’s parks and squares. A ban on parking dockless scooters on pavements was largely ignored, despite the threat of a €35 fine.
The ban will come as a blow to e-scooter operators, who have invested heavily in the Paris market, attracted by the city’s large population, high levels of tourism, and favourable regulatory environment. However, the ban may not be the end of the road for e-scooters in Paris. Some commentators have suggested that the vehicles may be reintroduced under a different regulatory framework or that alternative forms of micro-mobility such as e-bikes or e-mopeds, may take their place.
Are electric scooters legal in the UK?
Although it is legal to purchase and own an e-scooter in the UK, its use in public places is restricted. Currently, it is illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter on public roads, pavements, footpaths, cycle lanes, or pedestrian-only zones unless they are part of a government-approved trial scheme. E-scooters are classified as “powered transporters” and are subject to the same rules and regulations that apply to motor vehicles such as cars, which is why their use is prohibited on pavements and cycle paths. However, changes to the law are expected in the new Transport Bill. On private property with the landowner’s permission, it is legal to use an e-scooter.
Are ebikes safer than escooters?
E-bikes are generally considered safer than e-scooters for several reasons.
e-bikes are more stable and easier to balance due to their larger size and design, which typically includes a traditional bike frame and two wheels. In contrast, e-scooters typically have a smaller, single platform with two wheels, making them more prone to tipping and harder to balance.
Electric bikes typically have a more powerful braking system than e-scooters. Most e-bikes have hydraulic disc brakes, which are more responsive and provide better stopping power the drum brakes found on many e-scooters. This can make a big difference in emergency situations, where quick and effective braking can prevent accidents and injuries.
Finally, e-bikes are often seen as more familiar and predictable to other road users. Because they resemble traditional bicycles, other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists often treat them as such. This means that e-bike riders are less likely to be perceived as a threat or a nuisance on the road, reducing the risk of accidents and confrontations.
Conclusion
At Electric Bike Sales, we have chosen not to offer escooters due to the concerns mentioned earlier, with a primary focus on the safety of our customers. Instead, our stores in Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol and York carry a wide range of electric bikes and our skilled technicians available to assist you in discovering your ideal eBike. See Locations
