PARIS, April 2 — Voters in Paris are set to decide today on whether to banish electric scooters for rent from the streets of the French capital, which was a pioneer in adopting the divisive new form of urban transport.
But their presence remains controversial, with pedestrians complaining about reckless driving while a spate of fatal accidents has highlighted the dangers of vehicles that can currently be hired by children as young as 12. She favours a ban, calling the devices a “source of tension and worry” for Parisians in an interview withThe consultation will not affect privately owned electric scooters, of which 700,000 were sold nationwide last year, according to transport ministry figures.
A total of 1.6 million people are eligible to vote, but turnout is expected to be low. Results are scheduled to be released in the evening. “There’s a trend towards these vehicles and this trend started in Paris, which was a pioneer,” he said. “Today everyone else is convinced and Paris is deciding to make a step in the other direction. It’s incomprehensible for us.”