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

New rules take effect

The Paris prefecture announced on Saturday, August 8, that helmets and reflective equipment are now mandatory for all users of e-scooters, electric unicycles, Segways, and hoverboards on public roads in Paris and its inner suburbs (petite couronne). The rules took effect on Friday, August 7. Riders caught without an approved helmet face a fine of €135, while those without a high-visibility vest or retro-reflectors face a €35 penalty. The order applies at all times on public roads.

The regulations come in response to what police described as a concerning rise in serious and fatal accidents involving motorised mobility devices. According to figures from France's road safety watchdog cited by Paris police, 79 "unprotected road users" were killed in 2025, up from 45 the previous year, with a significant proportion of accidents causing serious or fatal head injuries. Around 1,100 e-scooter users were seriously injured in 2025, a 33% increase from 2024. A separate Franceinfo report cited 86 users of such devices killed in the last 12 months, almost 40% more than a year earlier.

Rider reactions divided

On the rue de Rivoli, a street dedicated to bikes and e-scooters, the measure received a mixed reception. Denis, a police officer riding with his two daughters, supported the requirement from his dual perspective as officer and parent.

The dangers of cycling or scooter traffic are real. Making helmets mandatory is in my view a necessity, to avoid ending up in hospital with often dramatic consequences.

Others were less enthusiastic. Louisa said she finds riding without a helmet more pleasant but acknowledged the rule is beneficial. William said he would comply mainly to avoid fines, noting he has never had an accident and considers himself careful. Abdallah, an 18-year-old from Qatar, said he does not plan to wear one, citing discomfort and concern for his hairstyle. One user told Franceinfo the rule would be unenforceable, predicting that nobody would comply and police would be handing out fines all day.

Rental ban and private use

Paris banned rental e-scooters in 2023 after a city-wide referendum in which 90% of voters backed the ban, though only 8% of eligible voters participated. Private e-scooters were not affected and remain widely used. France has the highest private e-scooter ownership in Europe, with 2.5 million owners as of 2023, according to the EU. Existing Paris rules already ban riding for under-14s, prohibit carrying passengers, and set a maximum speed of 25 km/h.

Calls for national regulation

Several French regions, including Seine-et-Marne, Alpes-Maritimes, and Vaucluse, already require helmets and high-visibility vests. Pierre Lagache, vice-president of the Ligue contre la violence routière, called for a unified national rule rather than scattered local initiatives.

An effective rule is one that is known to the greatest number and that is the same for everyone across the entire national territory. It is therefore important that the State take back control of this issue of scooter safety and impose a regulation aimed at better protecting users.

The minister for road safety confirmed to France Télévisions that discussions are underway to make helmets mandatory across all of France.

European context

Other European cities have also tightened rules on e-scooters. Madrid banned rental e-scooters in 2024, and Brussels announced in June 2026 it would follow suit. Ireland announced in July it would raise the minimum age for e-scooter use and make helmets and high-visibility clothing mandatory from the end of August. In Germany, police registered nearly 16,500 e-scooter accidents in 2025, an increase of about 38% from the previous year, according to the Federal Statistical Office.