Paris Announces New Safety Rules for Electric Scooter Riders

Sun Sep 06 2026 01:21:30 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Paris enforces helmets and high‑visibility vests for e‑scooter riders to curb fatalities, imposing fines for non‑compliance.

Paris has introduced mandatory helmet and vest requirements for all privately owned e‑scooters, following a steep rise in accidents that saw 79 fatalities last year. Riders who ignore the rules face €135 for missing a helmet and €35 for lacking reflective gear. The city banned rental scooters in 2023 but continues to see widespread private ownership and a 33% jump in injuries. Similar safety measures are spreading to other European capitals such as Madrid and Brussels.

Paris Announces New Safety Rules for Electric Scooter Riders

In an effort to curb the rise in e‑scooter injuries, the city mandates helmets and high‑visibility vests for all privately owned electric scooters on public roads, with fines for non‑compliance.

Last year, Paris recorded 79 fatalities and 1,100 injuries linked to e‑scooter incidents—a 33% rise from 2023, even after the municipal ban on rental scooters was imposed.

The fine structure imposes €135 for riders without an approved helmet and €35 for those lacking a vest or reflective gear. The new rules also cover electric unicycles and hoverboards.

There are already regional mandates, and other European cities—including Madrid and Brussels—are moving in the same direction after similar safety concerns grew.

With a private e‑scooter ownership rate of 2.5 million, Paris remains one of the world’s most scooter‑dense cities, compelling authorities to tighten safety regulations.