Electric scooter accidents rise, prompting calls for stricter regulations

The use of electric scooters has seen a significant rise in accidents and fatalities. In France, the National Interministerial Observatory for Road Safety (ONISR) reported 79 deaths among users of personal motorized mobility devices in 2025, a 75% increase from the previous year.

Legal requirements mandate that all electric scooters used on public roads must have civil liability insurance, a rule in effect since July 2020. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to €3,750. Experts note that standard home insurance often does not cover adults using scooters for daily commuting, necessitating specific mobility contracts.

Safety advocates, including Jean-René Albertin of the association Apacauvi, are calling for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and increased sanctions to address rising injury rates, such as a 3.5-fold increase in traumatic brain injuries. Concerns have also been raised regarding the illegal modification of scooters to exceed the 25 km/h speed limit, which reclassifies them as mopeds requiring registration, a license, and different insurance coverage.