The minimum age to drive an electric scooter will be raised from 12 to 14 and fines will be sharply increased, the newspaper announced. 20 minutes the Minister of Transport Clément Beaune, who must present this Wednesday, March 29 a plan intended to regulate the use of these machines on public roads. The fines will increase from 35 to 135 euros to sanction the circulation of two people on a machine or on prohibited lanes.
“We know that in one out of five accidents, the users were two on the machine, it is important to make it clear that it is not a toy”, explains Clément Beaune on a daily basis. The plan provides for the creation of a micromobility observatory and a charter of commitment that operators will have to sign on Wednesday (user safety, work on the lifespan of batteries for a minimum of five years, compulsory recycling in France. ..).
“We are going to develop prevention campaigns on risks in particular”, explains the minister, adding that an “observatory”, “bringing together members from all sides, politicians, associations and professionals, will make it possible to produce objective knowledge on the use electric scooters in France”, with figures on accidents, elements on the causes of accidents or on the environmental benefits of scooters.
As for the compulsory wearing of a helmet, “the reflection remains open: for the moment, we have chosen not to impose it but it is strongly recommended and our communication campaigns will repeat it”, added Clément Beaune. The announcement of this plan comes as the town hall of Paris consults its constituents on Sunday as to whether to maintain or ban self-service scooters in the capital.