Paris mandates helmets and high-vis vests for e-scooter riders

Paris has introduced new safety regulations for electric scooter and motorized personal mobility device (EDPM) users on public roads. The rules mandate that riders wear both a helmet and a high-visibility reflective vest.

Under these regulations, riders without an approved helmet face a €135 fine, while those failing to wear high-visibility clothing can be fined €35. Combined, violations can cost up to €170. These requirements apply to electric scooters, hoverboards, and electric unicycles, though pedal-assist electric bicycles remain regulated under different bicycle laws.

The crackdown follows a rise in accidents. According to French road safety data, 79 people were killed in e-scooter crashes last year. In Paris alone, injuries rose by 33% year-over-year to approximately 1,100 incidents. While Paris banned shared rental e-scooters in 2023, private ownership remains high, with an estimated 2.5 million private scooters in France as of 2023.