NOS News•
Residents of Paris may today vote in a referendum on the rental of electric scooters. The scooters are quiet and fast and are cheap to rent, but many accidents happen with them. The administration of the French capital wants to get rid of the scooters.
Since this morning there are long queues in front of the polling stations. Anyone entitled to vote may participate in the referendum. Residents of Paris who come from other countries of the European Union are also allowed to vote.
The electric scooter was introduced in Paris five years ago, following the example of rental bicycles and shared cars. The scooter is now loved by Parisians who do not own a bicycle or car themselves, and prefer not to take the metro or bus. The scooter is especially popular with young Parisians and tourists, who can easily visit places of interest. On average, scooters are used more in Paris than in any other European city.
Traffic accidents
But the thousands of rental scooters can lead to dangerous situations in traffic. For example, not all tourists know how to maneuver safely through a busy city like Paris. Hundreds of accidents have already happened. Last year in Paris, 27 people died in a scooter accident, and 459 people were injured.
The scooters are also a thorn in the side for many residents, because they are parked everywhere on the street. Mayor Hidalgo wants them off the streets before the Summer Olympics are held next year.
Free today
According to the deputy mayor, who is responsible for transport, the advantages do not outweigh the disadvantages. The scooters are more harmful to the environment than walking, cycling or public transport, he says. They would also go too fast and would not be suitable for a busy, densely populated and historic city like Paris. Moreover, the means of transport would give other road users such as the elderly and people with a disability a feeling of insecurity.
The three companies behind the scooters hope that residents will vote for the preservation of the means of transport, and have therefore made it free to use today. The city council, on the other hand, hopes that the population will vote against the scooter. However, the mayor has promised to comply with the referendum regardless of the outcome.
The result of the referendum is expected late tonight.
