Paris mandates helmets and reflective gear for electric scooter riders amid injury surge

Electric scooter users in Paris must now wear helmets and reflective clothing under new regulations aimed at curbing a notable increase in injuries and fatalities. These rules, which took effect Friday in Paris and its inner suburbs, apply to all users of motorized personal transport devices, including electric scooters, segways, and electric skateboards. Police note a growing popularity of these devices. While rental electric scooters were banned from the capital's streets in 2023 following a city council vote on safety concerns, privately owned scooters remain widely used. The latest measure comes amid a surge in accidents involving these vehicles, with police reporting that a significant number have resulted in serious head injuries or fatalities. Paris police, citing data from the French road safety authority, reported a sharp rise in deaths among unprotected road users, particularly electric scooter riders, in 2025. There were 79 fatalities, compared to 45 the previous year. Approximately 1,100 electric scooter users sustained serious injuries in 2025, a 33% increase from 2024, according to the same data. Failure to wear a helmet incurs a fine of 135 euros ($156), while not wearing high-visibility clothing or reflective gear results in a 35 euro fine. Police stated the regulation applies at all times on public roads. Other European cities have also tightened restrictions on electric scooters in recent years, with Madrid banning rentals in 2024 and Brussels announcing similar measures in June.