Source: Connexion France

The UNESCO World Heritage town of Albi in France is considering tightening its rules on the use of e-scooters, with police to be given greater powers to intervene, as residents raise concerns over dangerous and anti-social behaviour by riders.

If the restrictions go ahead, Albi would join French cities such as Paris and Carcassonne which have implemented stronger local controls on the use of e-scooters. A set of restrictions has been established at a national level, including the prohibition on riding on pavements unless expressly permitted by local authorities. Albi residents have made complaints about riders continuing to travel on pavements; mayor Stéphanie Guiraud-Chaumeil is considering issuing a decree, stating to local media, “There’s a problem with scooters, it’s a real issue.” The decree, if introduced, would go further than the ‘Street Charter’, which was issued in January 2025, outlining best practice, and would provide police with the power to intervene.

The French national picture

Data released in 2024 by the French Agency for Ecological Transition, ADEME, shows that there are 2.5 million users of e-scooters in France, both privately owned and for shared use. They are widely used for commuting, and to link to public transport.

With this increased uptake, accidents involving e-scooters are a cause for concern at a national level. The road safety authority, Sécurité routière, has recorded 900 serious injuries involving e-scooters during the 12 months to June 2025 – an increase of 28%. It noted that “numerous preventative actions are being carried out by prefectures” in an effort to address the problem.

National regulations for e-scooter use were introduced in 2020, including mandates that e-scooters must be equipped with front and rear lights, reflectors, a braking system and an audible warning device such as a horn. Since 2023, the minimum rider age is 14.