Villeurbanne Mandates Helmets for E-Scooter Riders Amidst Trauma Surge

Villeurbanne, a city bordering Lyon, is implementing a mandatory helmet law for electric scooter riders, backed by a €150 fine for non-compliance starting September 1. This measure addresses a dramatic surge in accidents and their severity, according to Socialist Mayor Cédric Van Styvendael.

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The use of electric scooters continues to grow in urban centers. However, the speed of these devices and the behavior of some users make them a risky mode of transport.

"The use of electric scooters continues to grow in urban centers. However, the speed of these devices and the behavior of some users make them a risky mode of transport," the mayor stated. He highlighted a dual trend: a decrease in accidents on other vehicles in the metropolitan area, contrasted with a sharp rise in scooter-related incidents.

Nationally, France recorded 79 e-scooter, gyropod, hoverboard, or electric skateboard fatalities in 2025, a 76% increase from the previous year. Additionally, 1,200 individuals suffered serious injuries, a 38% rise, according to the national road safety observatory. In Villeurbanne specifically, accidents surged by 141% between 2024 and 2025.

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It's a public health and prevention issue. There is a dual phenomenon of declining accident rates on vehicular journeys in the agglomeration, and at the same time, an increase on this mode of transport.

Local medical data from Médipôle, the city's major hospital, corroborates this trend. "We had low-level reports from emergency room doctors about young people presenting with increasing accident rates, and we were able to objectify it," explained Sandrine Croze Fayard, director of the hospital. "They showed a very strong increase. When Médipôle opened, we had one case per month; today, it's one per day." With 240 emergency consultations for scooter accidents by August 25, compared to 319 for all of 2025, the year 2026 is continuing this pattern.

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We had low-level reports from emergency room doctors about young people presenting with increasing accident rates, and we were able to objectify it.

While the median age of those injured is 32, younger individuals are not the most affected; the 25-35 age group accounts for the most victims. Men are also overrepresented, making up 70% of those injured. Facial trauma and jaw fractures are common, but a significant 22% of the 1,200 patients treated since 2019 sustained head injuries, underscoring the potential benefit of mandatory helmet use.

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They showed a very strong increase. When Médipôle opened, we had one case per month; today, it's one per day.