{"id":8810,"date":"2015-05-27T19:49:11","date_gmt":"2015-05-27T18:49:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.france-hotel-guide.com\/en\/blog\/?p=8810"},"modified":"2023-09-10T16:00:50","modified_gmt":"2023-09-10T15:00:50","slug":"electric-scooters-paris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.france-hotel-guide.com\/en\/blog\/electric-scooters-paris\/","title":{"rendered":"Comparison of Shared Electric Scooter Rental Services in Paris"},"content":{"rendered":"

\ud83d\udea8 Attention<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since August 31st, 2023, self-service scooter services, such as Lime, Tier and Dott, are no longer available in Paris.<\/p>\n

Parisians have spoken through a vote, with 89.03% of them voting for the end of self-service scooters in Paris.<\/p>\n

The rest of the article thus becomes obsolete.<\/p>\n

Alternative<\/strong>: For those who still wish to ride a scooter in Paris, here are the electric scooter rental stores in Paris<\/a> that we recommend.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

General situation regarding electric scooters in Paris: Opinions are divided<\/h2>\n

Strengths<\/h3>\n

The reasonable price<\/strong> and availability<\/strong> (15,000 scooters in July 2020) make it an ideal choice.<\/p>\n

The handling<\/strong> is also something to consider. The electric scooter is lighter than a bicycle, less bulky<\/strong>, and therefore it is easier to carry.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Riding in the fresh air without fearing the traffic jam<\/strong>, even on a Sunday at 7 pm, and parking, wherever you want (including, of course, right in front of the Palais des Congr\u00e8s on the first day of a convention), is a satisfying experience.<\/p>\n

And what to say about this new way of visiting the capital? If the weather is good, it is really ideal. It is easy to use an electric scooter in Paris and takes little time to ride from monument to monument.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Problems<\/h3>\n

Despite these positive opinions, it is not possible to avoid talking about the problems caused by these machines.<\/p>\n

The city was not really prepared for the surprise and massive arrival of the electric scooters, which has caused some problems.<\/p>\n

People on scooters tend to ride on the pavements<\/strong> and sometimes they even run lights.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most common and recurrent inconveniences are pedestrian rushes<\/strong>, which cause some accidents, and the inopportune parking<\/strong> of scooters.<\/p>\n

Indeed, although if the greatest advantage of scooters is that you can leave them wherever you want, many people tend to just leave their scooter lying around in the middle of the sidewalk <\/strong>after getting off without thinking about pedestrians.<\/p>\n

\"trottinette<\/p>\n

Of course, the Paris City Hall was quick to intervene and responses were put in place to solve these problems. As with bicycles, the electric scooter has been and will be subject to very similar regulations, if not almost identical ones.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What are the rules for electric scooters in Paris?<\/h3>\n

It is possible to ride on cycle paths<\/strong> and roads where the maximum authorized traffic is less than 50km\/h in the urban area.<\/strong> Outside the urban area, it is possible to ride only on cycle paths. The authorized limit is 25 km\/h.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is imperative to wear a yellow security jacket at night<\/strong>, and although it is not obligatory, it is strongly recommended to wear a helmet for those over 12 years old.<\/p>\n

In addition, electric scooters are forbidden to children under 12 years old.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The use of electric scooters is now subject to the Highway Code.
\n<\/strong>
\nIt is also necessary to sign up for Civil Liability insurance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition, there are some prohibitions<\/strong>, such as wearing headphones, carrying passengers<\/strong>, and the aforesaid unauthorized parking.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you want to park, leaving your scooter lying around is forbidden. You have to park it in a scooter parking area<\/strong> or in a parking for two-wheeled vehicles not to disturb pedestrians on the sidewalk.<\/p>\n

Any transgression of these rules can result in a fine ranging from \u20ac135 to \u20ac1,500 and impoundment costs!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Self-service shared scooters in Paris; how does it work?<\/h2>\n

What do you need to use a self-service scooter in Paris?<\/h3>\n

A license?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Not if the vehicle runs at less than 25km\/h.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do you have to go to specific places<\/strong> to pick them up?<\/p>\n

Not necessarily, it is self-service<\/strong> so the scooters are almost everywhere.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You do not need a ticket or a transport card neither. All you need is a smartphone or a tablet and simply to download the application<\/strong> corresponding to the scooter you want to use.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How to rent a self-service electric scooter in Paris?<\/h3>\n

Scooter applications are simple and effective.<\/p>\n

After downloading the app<\/strong> of the company you are interested in (see it below) and making the initial settings, you just have to scan the QR code<\/strong>, get on the scooter and go.<\/p>\n

The best part is that with these apps you can geolocate the nearest scooters.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most of the time you will find a scooter within a 10-minute walk from where you are.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How much does it cost to rent self-service electric scooters in Paris?<\/h3>\n

Most rental companies follow the model of \u20ac1 for unlocking the scooter, and 15 to 25 cents per minute<\/strong> (so \u20ac10 to \u20ac13 for one hour).<\/p>\n

Surprisingly, the price does not vary that much between brands.<\/p>\n

Therefore, you do not really need to walk for a kilometer to find the cheapest one.<\/p>\n

And there is no guarantee deposit required to start renting scooters.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Who can rent a self-service scooter in Paris? Is it possible for tourists?<\/h3>\n

Anyone from Paris, France, Europe or any other continent can simply use their smartphone to get a self-service electric scooter.<\/p>\n

You just need to have the internet on your phone though, and of course, a credit card to make the payment online.<\/p>\n

Also read: The Best Prepaid French SIM Cards for Tourists Compared<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What happens if you damage your scooter?<\/h3>\n

Technically, the scooter belongs to the operator. So, either you damage it just a little<\/strong> (like scratching the paintwork for example) and there is no problem, or you damage it seriously<\/strong> (which will be considered vandalism!) and <\/strong>you can be fined up to \u20ac30.000<\/strong><\/a> (French article)! <\/strong>So try to take care of it.<\/p>\n

\"Scratched
Credits: Chabe01<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons<\/a> under Creative Commons<\/a><\/em> 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Vandalized<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What happens if you park your scooter wrong?<\/h3>\n

If an officer sees a wrongly parked scooter, it could be sent straight to the pound.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The company will have to pay a fine<\/strong> and of course you \u2013or at least the last user of the scooter \u2013will have to repay the impound fees<\/strong><\/a> (French article).<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Badly
Credits: Beno\u00eet Prieur<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons<\/a> under Creative Commons 4.0<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Comparison of the 3 operators present in Paris and their scooters<\/h2>\n

Each scooter has its own advantages and disadvantages, but which operator will you choose?<\/p>\n

Apart from the question of distance<\/strong> and availability<\/strong>, you have to choose the electric scooter that suits you best; this is why we are going to check everything they have to offer.<\/p>\n

Since the end of September 2020, only 3 operators are authorized to deploy their scooters in Paris.<\/strong><\/p>\n

After a call for applications<\/strong>, 3 operators were selected, based on social and environmental criteria<\/strong> such as user safety, maintenance management, recharging <\/strong>and environmental responsibility. <\/strong><\/p>\n

When someone creates and commercializes a product, it is important to consider the environmental impact. According to a study<\/strong><\/a> published in 2019, electric scooters may not be as Eco-friendly as people think. They emit about 202g of CO2 per km and per passenger over their entire life cycle.<\/strong> These figures are similar to the emissions of a combustion car.<\/p>\n

By selecting these 3 operators, Paris has therefore chosen environmental responsibility as criteria. The aim here is to protect the environment as much as possible <\/strong>and to repair any damage that may have been caused. <\/strong>The objective is for the operators to obtain a better environmental record. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Each operator has 5,000 electric scooters in Paris.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

LIME<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n
\"Lime
Credits: Beno\u00eet Prieur<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons<\/a> under Creative Commons 4.0<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first scooter, the initial one, the one that started the trend…<\/strong> The Lime scooter is American.<\/p>\n

Rather large<\/strong> and elegant, it has a battery life of over 30 km.<\/p>\n

Several conditions<\/strong> must be respected to use this electric scooter: be 18 years or older<\/strong>, have a valid driving license, wear a helmet. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>The fact that it is the first one explains its main advantage: it is the most common. You can find them almost everywhere.<\/p>\n

Easy to find and easy to ride<\/strong>, it is very simple to use.<\/p>\n

As for prices, you will pay \u20ac1 for the unlocking<\/strong> and 23 cents per minute.
\n<\/strong>
\nIn addition, Lime now offers packages<\/strong>:<\/p>\n