Paris Says Gear Up Or Pay Up: E-Scooter Riders Face Rs 14,800 Fine For No Helmet
News world Paris Says Gear Up Or Pay Up: E-Scooter Riders Face Rs 14,800 Fine For No Helmet Paris Says Gear Up Or Pay Up
News world Paris Says Gear Up Or Pay Up: E-Scooter Riders Face Rs 14,800 Fine For No Helmet Paris Says Gear Up Or Pay Up: E-Scooter Riders Face Rs 14,800 Fine For No Helmet Published By, Last Updated: August 09, 2026, 12:56 IST Police said that 79 people were killed in e-scooter accidents last year, up from 45 deaths the previous year, citing figures from France's road safety watchdog. Riders who fail to comply could face fines of up to €135 for not wearing an approved helmet. Paris is getting tougher on e-scooter riders as the French capital introduces new safety rules requiring users of privately owned electric scooters to wear helmets and high-visibility vests on public roads. Riders who fail to comply could face fines of up to €135 for not wearing an approved helmet, while those without a high-visibility vest or required retro-reflectors could be fined €35.
The new regulations come amid a sharp rise in serious and fatal e-scooter accidents in Paris. Police said that 79 people were killed in e-scooter accidents last year, up from 45 deaths the previous year, citing figures from France’s road safety watchdog. Around 1,100 people were also injured in e-scooter accidents in the capital last year, representing a 33% increase from the year before. The rules apply not only to electric scooters but also to other personal electric transport devices, including electric unicycles and hoverboards. Paris has already taken a hard line on rental e-scooters. The city banned rental versions in 2023 following growing concerns over dangerous riding and scooters being left on pavements. Privately owned e-scooters, however, were allowed to remain on the roads. The rental ban followed a city-wide referendum in which around 90% of participating voters backed removing rental e-scooters from the streets.
Turnout, however, was just 8% of eligible voters. Despite the restrictions, privately owned e-scooters remain popular in Paris, where narrow and congested roads make them an attractive option for some commuters. France also has the highest private e-scooter ownership in Europe, according to the European Union, with around 2.5 million people owning the vehicles as of 2023. Paris already has several restrictions on e-scooter use. Riders must be at least 14 years old, cannot carry passengers and are subject to a maximum speed limit of 25 kmph. The new helmet and visibility requirements bring Paris closer to several other French regions, including Seine-et-Marne, Alpes-Maritimes and Vaucluse, where similar safety measures are already in place. The French capital’s crackdown also comes as other European cities reconsider the role of rental e-scooters.
The BriefWire