France mandates helmets for electric scooter riders in Péronne and Somme

The town of Péronne in northern France issued an order on 3 July requiring electric scooter users to wear an approved helmet and a reflective vest or other retro‑reflective item at all times. Non‑compliance can result in a €35 fine. The measure follows a series of fatal and serious accidents involving scooters in the region, including deaths in Amiens, Saint‑Quentin and nearby villages.

A separate decree from the Somme prefecture, effective 23 July, makes helmet use compulsory for all electric‑scooter riders throughout the department. The prefecture cited three deaths and 41 recorded accidents since the start of the year as justification. The regulation applies to riders aged 14 and older and reinforces existing safety rules such as speed limits, insurance and lighting requirements.