The French city of Paris decided to ban electric kickboard rental services after holding a referendum.
On the 2nd (local time), AFP and DPA news agencies said, “Paris Mayor An Hidalgo held a referendum asking 20 residents of Paris whether to continue the electric kickboard rental service, and as a result, the opposition vote reached 90%.” Reported.
Although turnout was only 7% of the 1.3 million voters, the city of Paris considered the results binding regardless of turnout.
Accordingly, the city of Paris became the first city in Europe to ban electric kickboard rental services. However, apart from the results of this vote, no sanctions will be imposed on electric kickboards owned by individuals.
The city of Paris plans to end the contract with three companies, ‘Lime’, ‘Dot’, and ‘Tear’, which are currently conducting electric kickboard rental business in Paris, by the end of August.
Electric kickboards were introduced in Paris in 2018 and were actively used as a means of transportation to replace vehicles. It has become popular with citizens and tourists who do not want to own a car or use the subway while simply renting it through an application (app). With the expansion of related businesses, more than 100,000 electric kickboard rentals are currently being made every day in 200 cities in France.
However, as the electric scooter driver’s reckless driving, drunk driving, and reckless parking led to fatal accidents, voices calling for a ban gradually grew.
On this day, groups opposing electric kickboards welcomed the decision of the city of Paris.
Arnaud Kilbasa, co-founder of ‘Apakobi’, a group representing victims of electric scooter accidents, said, “It is the result of our fight for more than four years.” That’s why I voted against it.”
Mayor Hidalgo also said, “The electric kickboard business model is very expensive at 5 euros (about 7,100 won) for 10 minutes,” and “(electric kickboards) are not sustainable and, above all, cause many accidents.”
In response, kickboard rental companies insisted that related problems be solved by strengthening regulations, not banning electric kickboards.
Nicola Goss, managing director of the kickboard rental company ‘Dot’, said, “Of course (electric kickboards) there are driving violations and dangerous behavior.” What we need is education, detection and punishment.”
Hardy Karam, an official from the French branch of another rental company, Lime, said in an interview with AFP, “Electric kickboards are on the rise in London, Spain, and Washington and New York, USA.” said.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.