How to enjoy your electric scooter in Paris

Couple using a Lime electric scooter in Paris – Photo from Pixabay.

Since the summer of 2018, self-service electric scooters have grown considerably and have become the new means of transport favored by the younger generation and all those who wish to leave the car behind.

Why should I use an electric scooter?

Practical, fun, fast and eco-friendly, many are the advantages of the electric scooter.

In the city, and even more so in Paris, the slightest trip can become a real headache what with the very dense and one-way traffic, lack of parking spaces, high-rate ticketing, and the general waste of time that ensues. Whether for a stroll or to get to work, using this mode of transportation can quickly become an asset to get to your destination faster, saving you money and stress and making your daily commute much more fun.

Which company should I take?

Today, there are about ten self-service electric scooter operators in the capital.  In June 2018, Lime was the first to deploy its service. That was just a year ago, but that time was enough for a dozen other firms to set out on the adventure and to settle in the streets of the capital.

A few weeks after Lime, Bird electric scooters came out, then Bolt in the fall of the same year, followed by Wind. In 2019, the Flash, Hive, Voi and Dott electric scooters arrived and others are still expected to come on the market. You have a wide choice !

Usain Bolt in Paris to promote his scooters. Sourced from TMZ.com

But do not hesitate too long to choose one of them because they all offer similar services and rates: 1 euro of care and then a 15 cent per minute run, which is equivalent to paying 3.25 euros for 15 minutes and 5.5 euros for 30 minutes of travel. Pretty affordable? The Bolt company presents the novelty of being able to reserve the scooter for three minutes before you reach it, giving you time so that no-one takes it beforehand.

How to use the scooters?

To borrow the machines, the system is classic. After downloading the application, you must first locate a scooter on the map, find it, then scan the bar code (QR code) on the handlebars to unlock it. To return it, simply park it where it disturbs the least and then finish the race on the application.

But if the number of companies continues to increase, so does the number of injured users. So how can you ride an electric scooter without being bothered? What are we allowed to do? What behaviours are tolerated?

Good practices when using an electric scooter in Paris

Before the city and legislation are better adapted to this new means of transport, you must absolutely apply certain safety measures.

•         Do not drive on the roadway

The electric scooter user is considered a pedestrian. Logically, you must drive on the sidewalk, cross at protected crossings, respect traffic lights and be very careful with other people walking.

When you get on a sidewalk, slow down, be very careful with children and people who can’t hear you coming and can change course at the last minute. Keep the trajectories predictable for people facing you, so they don’t doubt your intention.

If you take a right-angled crossing on a sidewalk, take the outside of the sidewalk so you don’t surprise anyone. Remember that it is up to you to show that you know how to respect the first users of these spaces, not to them to get used to you.

However, pending the law on the orientation of mobility (LOM) scheduled for July 2019 due to complaints, the Paris City recently decided to take action by issuing more tickets for the circulation of these vehicles on sidewalks and for their anarchic parking on the public domain. If you have any doubt, I would recommend you to ask a gendarmerie officer.

For the moment, the easiest, most pleasant and safest way for you is going on a cycle track. Always make sure you don’t disturb the bicycles that have priority. Keep to the right and remember to keep a safe distance between you and the bikes.

•         Manage your speed

Today, most electric scooters reach speeds of 25 km/h. Driving at such a speed in the crowded and narrow streets of Paris seems to me foolish and risky, for you and for others. I recommend that you drive at a moderate speed, close to the pedestrians with whom you share the track (around 6km/h).

Be careful on wet surfaces: sewer panels, pedestrian crossings, water drainage grills, etc. Remember to reduce your speed and anticipate your braking. Likewise on downhill slopes, never forget that braking distances are getting longer!

•         Don’t follow the crowds

If you want to take an electric scooter ride in Paris, avoid being too many people following the same itinerary, to leave space for other users. Whatever happens, always keep in a single file.

•         Protect yourself

Especially if you are with children, I recommend you you to wear safety equipment (helmet, knee pads, gloves) to limit injuries in case of impact.

Where should I go in Paris with my electric scooter?

At first sight, Paris doesn’t seem to be the ideal playground for lovers of electric scooter rides. But there are still some very pleasant routes!

•         The docks and canals

What could be better than a trip along the canals to enjoy the Parisian charm? Often equipped with bicycle paths, lined with greenery and water, they are the ideal place for a stroll.

You can start on the Quai de Jemmapes to Jaurès. Then take the Quai de la Loire cycle path to Parc de La Villette, the largest park in Paris, where you can continue your adventure or rest on the lawns and enjoy a little picnic.

Canals at the Parc de la Villette. Photo from TheTravelMagazine.org

•         The Place de l’Etoile

No, I’m kidding, there is too much traffic and huge cobblestones : to banish!

•         In the parks

Finally, there are of course the parks, a wonderful place to enjoy nature and a smooth ride on an electric scooter. I recommend you the large parks of Paris such as the Parc de la Villette, the Parc Montsouris, the Parc de Bercy. Finally, for lovers of the Eiffel Tower, you can walk up the Champs de Mars to the foot of the Tower.

Choose your time

Sunday is better because the docks and some streets are closed to cars. Also, favour walks by night for touristic places. With the arrival of summer and mild temperatures in the evening, this is the ideal time!

Parisian park – By Guilhem Vellut. Wikimédia Commons

The electric scooter is a fun and pleasant way to get around, and I advise everyone to try it as long as they respect the essential rules of sharing public space in the capital and go to the right places at the right time. If you do that, you will have a good time for sure!

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and that it has been useful to you. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need further information about anything! See you soon in Paris!