Barcelona Implements Fines for Reckless Electric Scooter Riders; Paris Bans E-Scooters After Referendum
Barcelona is introducing new regulations for electric scooter riders, effective February 1. The city’s governing body, the Barcelona City Council, has approved fines up to €500 for violators who fail to wear helmets or ride on sidewalks. This move comes in response to the surging popularity of e-scooters, with an estimated 40,000 trips taken daily in the Catalan capital.
Adria Gomila, the councilor responsible for mobility, explains that these measures aim to enhance safety and encourage responsible riding. "These regulations will improve safety and promote a change in the behavior of riders," Gomila stated.
Under the new rules, e-scooters must not exceed a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour. If a scooter can reach higher speeds, a driver’s license is required. The regulations also dictate that e-scooter riders must be at least 16 years old.
Barcelona’s decision follows a similar move in Paris, where e-scooters have been banned after a binding referendum in 2023. Paris introduced e-scooters in 2018, but the vehicles’ popularity was accompanied by an increase in accidents. In 2022 alone, over 500 people were injured in e-scooter-related incidents.
Polls revealed overwhelming support for the ban, with 90% of voters approving the measure. However, participation in the referendum was low, with fewer than 8% of the 1.4 million eligible voters casting their ballots.
The decision to regulate and fine riders in Barcelona, and the outright ban in Paris, underscores the ongoing global debate surrounding the role of e-scooters in urban transportation and the need for responsible riding to ensure safety for all users.
