Tag Archive: paris

  1. Parisians vote to triple parking fees for SUVs

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    Source: France 24

    According to official results from city hall, Parisian voters on Sunday approved a proposal by the city’s socialist mayor, Anne Hidalgo, to triple parking fees for large SUV-style vehicles.

    In the recent vote, 54.55% of Parisians supported a proposal to increase parking charges for cars weighing 1.6 tonnes or more to €18 per hour in the city centre and €12 further out. However, only 5.7% (78,000) of the 1.3 million eligible voters participated at the 39 voting stations across the French capital.

    Mayor Anne Hidalgo celebrated the outcome as a “clear choice of Parisians” in favour of a measure deemed “good for our health and good for the planet.” Exemptions include fully electric cars exceeding two tonnes, Paris residents or workers, taxi drivers, tradespeople, health workers, and people with disabilities.

    Supporters, like Gregoire Marchal, emphasized the ecological and societal aspects of the measure, encouraging a reconsideration of personal behaviour regarding car use. Nevertheless, not all voters shared the sentiment, with some expressing dissatisfaction with what they perceived as Hidalgo’s dictatorial approach.

    Under Hidalgo’s leadership, Paris has implemented measures such as pedestrianizing streets and building cycle lanes to discourage driving and reduce emissions. SUVs, labelled an “aberration” by environmental group WWF, have been singled out for their increased fuel consumption, safety concerns, and greater use of public space.

    Critics argue against the imprecise targeting of SUVs, with concerns raised about the scheme’s classification and potential impacts on different types of vehicles. The opposition questions the transparency of the referendum, accusing the city government of manipulation.

    Drivers’ groups and France’s Environment Minister, Christophe Bechu, criticize the SUV surcharge as punitive environmentalism, advocating for a focus on vehicle weight rather than a specific category. Hidalgo’s transport chief estimates that around 10% of Paris vehicles would be affected, generating up to €35 million annually.

    The anti-SUV initiative in Paris has inspired similar plans in Lyon, where the Green party mayor intends to introduce a three-tier parking fee for residents and visitors starting in June. The recent referendum’s turnout echoes a trend seen in a previous vote on banning rental scooters, emphasizing the challenges of engaging citizens in local decision-making.

  2. Parisian citizens face a new referendum about SUVs on their streets

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    Source: The Mayor EU

    The French capital will have a vote on a new mobility policy regarding sports utility vehicles

    Authorities have organised a referendum to take place on February 4th about whether parking price rates for sports utility vehicles (SUVs) should be increased.

    SUVs are the largest type of private car, and are seen by many as heavy and bulky, causing high pollution on the roads and increased casualties, so voters will be asked if their owners should be charged specific rates for parking them around Paris.

    Why are SUVs the target?

    This is the second traffic and public space referendum that Paris’ local government has organised within 12 months. In April, the French capital caught the attention of European media and beyond with the news that it was letting its residents decide whether they’d like to ban publicly shared scooters from its streets.

    The majority of votes said yes to this, and made Paris an interesting example of participatory democracy in daily matters. With a second referendum on the way, some are wondering if referendums will be a regular occurrence for traffic policy in Paris.

    If the vote goes the same way for SUVs, local authorities have proposed tripling visitor (non-resident) parking rates. This would mean SUV parking in Parisian districts 1-11 would be €18 per hour, and for districts 12-20 it would be €12 per hour – if approved.

    It’s possible that with new financial obstacles in place, the popularity of SUVs and 4x4s could decrease in France.

    For 30 years, the average size and weight of cars in France has increased, taking up more and more space on the road, on sidewalks and in public spaces generally. Within this period, cars have reportedly become heavier by almost 250 kilos; in 1990, the average vehicle weight was 975 kg and today it is 1,233 kg.

    The Mayor.EU highlights that even if the number of largest cars drop, then an issue still remains with the large sizes of the remaining cars on the streets that contribute to road pollution, which could counteract any positive effects, and therefore fail to benefit the environment.

  3. Stakeholders divided on fairness and practicality of Parisian e-scooter ban

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    Source: EURACTIV, T. Hartmann

    Since the Parisian ban on self-service scooters came into force on 1 September, its city hall has called the move revolutionary in “an urban jungle”, while stakeholders have remain divided on the pros and cons.

    In April, 7% of Parisians voted in a referendum on the future of pay-per-use eScooters, with 89% voting for their removal from the streets. As of 1 September 2023, the vehicles have been officially banned, making Paris the only European country with such a measure currently in force.

    E-scooters are responsible for an “urban jungle”, with “very abusive usage of these e-mobility tools [having] created a strong sense of insecurity,” according to the Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of transport, David Bélliard, in a press conference on 31 August.

    He continued that a ban was the right way forward because even with tighter regulation, Parisians felt insecure. Furthermore, he explained that it was democratic because “130,000 voters for a public consultation is a consequent number,” although this amount only accounts for 5% of the population of Paris.

    Amid growing controversy and concerns around e-scooters, three of the main companies providing these services in Paris presented proposals to the city hall, but Mayor Anne Hidalgo ultimately decided to put future usage of these vehicles in Paris to a vote.

    The ban covers 15,000 self-service electric scooters. Operated by Dott, Lime and TIER, they have been redistributed during the summer to surrounding cities.

    Meanwhile, personal e-scooters are still allowed to travel in bike lanes.

    Opinion remains divided

    Mohamed Mezghani, secretary-general at the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), told EURACTIV that “there should be a choice of mobility options for everyone, and excluding one mobility solution from a city is perhaps counter to that approach.”

    Bélliard refutes this argument, pointing to the existence of other mobility solutions such as buses, the subway, bikes and walking. He also expressed a concern that “e-scooters are not a relevant mobility tool as they mainly replace walking,” that they create disturbance such as traffic hazards and congestion, and were used mainly by tourists and not by Parisians.

    The EU industry association Micro-mobility For Europe wrote in a press statement that “moving away from shared e-scooters isolates Paris from the rest of the world.” Deputy Mayor Bélliard confirmed that he is in touch with his European counterparts, who are all “facing similar issues that revolve around congestion of the public spaces [and] insecurity.”

    Safety concerns

    Peter Staelens, head of mobility at Eurocities, an organisation representing local governments, explained to EURACTIV that “e-scooter usage has resulted in a recurring pattern of serious facial injuries that require surgery.”

    While the ban will hopefully decrease the number of injuries, other stakeholders have concerns about increases in car usage.

    Sylvain Delavergne, French coordinator at the Clean Cities Coalition, an organisation campaigning for zero-emission zones within European cities, explained that the Parisian ban will see car trips increase by 8,000 according to a 2022 study.

    The ban is, therefore not a solution in his mind, as it will impoverish the air quality in the capital, which is already “responsible for an annual 2,500 premature deaths.”

    Paris is now the only European city with a total ban on self-service e-scooters. Previously, Madrid and Copenhagen had similar bans, but they were eventually repealed. Barcelona has temporary restrictions in place and a decision on permanent prohibition or regulation is expected in the autumn.

    Following the vote in April, an official joint statement from Dott, Lime and TIER Mobility noted: “We regret that Parisians will lose a shared and green transport option. The result of this vote will have a direct impact on the travel of 400,000 people per month, 71% of whom are 18-35 year old residents. It is a step back for sustainable transport in Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympics.”

    An official statement from Bolt highlighted that Paris is taking a step backward: “Considering the potential of shared scooters to make a positive change in the city and the constantly evolving technologies that we’re using to make scooter operations safe for everyone, we believe that resigning from shared scooters would be a step backwards in building better cities.”

    Meanwhile, operators look set to turn their attention to e-bikes to make up the shortfall in business as well as looking at other EU cities.

    “While Lime e-scooters will depart Paris by the end of August for other cities in Europe, Parisian riders are already pivoting to our expanding fleet of e-bikes,” a Lime spokesperson told CNBC

  4. Paris set to vote on the future of e-scooters

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    Source: Forbes, C. O’Brien

    After 4 years of electric scooter-sharing services in France’s capital city, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has confirmed a vote to determine if the micromobility option will be banned in the city.

    The referendum in April has been announced following a lengthy review by city officials, with the mayor herself in favour of the ban. What are the key issues facing the use of e-scooters in Paris?

    • National laws are vague in terms of regulation.
    • Residents feel that riders are reckless.
    • Excessive riding on sidewalks and in pedestrianised areas.
    • Poor parking and the free-floating nature of the service have created an eyesore.
    • Antisocial use of the devices, particularly by tourists.

    It should be noted that steps have been taken to address some of these concerns, such as limiting speeds and releasing a clear code of conduct, but the e-scooters remain extremely divisive.

    With 12 active bike and e-scooter sharing services in the city, Paris is one of the largest markets for micromobility services. The results of this referendum will therefore be watched closely by industry and consumers alike; the conclusion may well inform future decisions in comparable locations.

  5. CAKE and Volta Trucks join forces to provide world’s first electric microhub for last-mile deliveries

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    LEVA-EU member CAKE and Volta Trucks have announced a joint initiative for providing global fashion giant the H&M Group with fully integrated, electric deliveries to its customers in Paris. Starting in February, the H&M Group will be able to deliver its orders all the way from the warehouses to the door of the customer, leveraging an unparalleled, efficient combination of electric trucks and electric two-wheelers. Tailored for future urban logistics, this solution aims to have a minimum impact on the city environment.

    “As a majority of today’s last-mile delivery chains will soon be banned in many of the world’s largest cities, H&M seeks to engage in future-proof solutions already now. This will enable for contributions of lower emissions and less congestion, while benefiting from far more efficient deliveries all the way to the end customer, paving the way for both healthier cities and business advantages,” says Stefan Ytterborn, founder and CEO, CAKE.

    Rolling hubs, and couriers on two wheels

    CAKE and Volta Trucks were both founded to tackle the modern challenges of transportation. Coming from two different vehicle platforms, yet sharing the same objectives, the integration of the two technologies offers immediate opportunities for e-commerce and the fast-growing delivery industry, now on its way to meeting game-changing laws and regulations globally.

    Volta Trucks, whose vehicles are electric trucks with industry-standard loading capacity, has developed a design that offers emission-free transportation and enhanced safety in urban environments. Allowed to pass through future city borders, the electric trucks make the perfect vessel for carrying full loads of parcels, and harbour in central locations while parcels are delivered last-mile by a set of CAKE bikes reaching the customers fast, without impacting the traffic, or struggling with parking.

    “We’ve designed the full-electric Volta Zero to be the cleanest, safest and most efficient urban delivery vehicle. Most of our customers are using trucks to deliver from out-of-town warehouses to inner-city stores. But as a forward-thinking brand, we’ve always sought innovative partners to deliver new and industry-redefining solutions. The partnership between Volta Trucks, CAKE and H&M Group will showcase how a combination of zero tailpipe emission transport solutions can bring benefits to brands, customers, and city centre environments.” says Essa Al-Saleh, Chief Executive Officer of Volta Trucks.

    “An important part of our approach is to work openly and closely with partners, including to reduce emissions throughout our value chain. Initiatives like those with Volta Trucks and Cake help us advance our sustainability goals faster than we could on our own and have a positive impact in leading the transformation to a better fashion future. This starts with improving sustainability performance in our own operations and demonstrating the resilience of a sustainable business direction”, Paul Ticehurst, H&M Group Logistics Transport Lead.

    Paris leads the way

    Paris is one of the first cities in the world to regulate city transportation in favour of congestion and the climate. The French capital is targeting a late 2023 introduction of legislation, effectively limiting the movement of cars in its city centre. CAKE electric mopeds and motorcycles will be exempt from the ban that is expected to remove approximately 100,000 cars from the streets each day. Additionally, two-wheelers using combustion engines will by September 1st be subject to parking fees, while electric alternatives continue to enjoy free parking on Paris streets.

  6. First e-cycle hearse created by funeral home in Paris

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    Source: TheMayor.EU, T.V. Iolov

    New innovations see carbon footprint reduced through increasingly unique, scenario-specific technologies.

    The “Le Ciel & La Terre” funeral home in Paris, France will utilize the first electric-bicycle hearse named “Corbicyclette”. Using the new vehicle during funeral proceedings reduces the overall environmental impact of the event. Furthermore, the creation allows many of the capital’s new bicycle-focused regulations to be met, allowing for easier transportation in the city centre.

    According to Le Ciel & La Terre, the hearse is anchored to the platform of an electrically assisted steel three-wheeled bicycle, which gives it the power to take on steep slopes. The airtight compartment intended to accommodate the coffin is made of solid, light, natural and environmentally friendly marine plywood. Being a Light Electric Vehicle, the Corbicyclette does not emit any greenhouse gasses during its operational phase.

    Creator Isabelle Plumereau shared, “The Corbicyclette is to propose a new ritual for families that I accompany, especially at the cemetery,” allowing for “a slow, silent, quiet procession, to the rhythm of the steps of the people who walk behind and who make the procession.”

  7. The local governance of micromobility – Paris case study

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    Source: Eltis, H. Figg

    Europe’s main observatory on urban mobility, Eltis, releases write-up on the role of local authorities in planning and managing rapidly growing new mobility services

    The case study of Paris explores how action was taken after the swift introduction of free-floating e-scooter fleets and increased personal ownership, including the introduction of a Code of Good Conduct while awaiting a legal framework.

    Of key interest is the 18-month period that could be considered a ‘legal vacuum’, in which e-scooters were not subject to the Highway Code, and the National Law on Mobility (LOM) was stalled as it awaited approval by the French government.

    Paris’ governing body acted to create a working group for all e-scooter stakeholders, inviting operators of the devices to sign a Code of Good Conduct before the end of May 2019. From here, any new operator of e-scooters in the region was invited to join the group to discuss the use of rental e-scooters in public spaces.

    The Code of Good Conduct provided guiding principles and paved the way for good public-private collaboration. Operators were encouraged to work on a deployment strategy that respects other users, with the main aspects of the Code covering:

    • Parking and riding rules
    • Operators’ commitments regarding safety and security
    • Respect for other users, particularly people with disabilities
    • Relationship with the city authorities
    • Use of e-scooters in line with sustainability priorities of the city.

    Stress was placed on the need to ensure pedestrian comfort and safety while awaiting national legislation. Paris is a leading example of local governance and public-private cooperation. Other similar cities are increasingly deciding to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to managing the offer and operations of new mobility services.

    In a landscape where cities are experiencing a transport transformation in many forms, a well-regulated and integrated urban mobility policy will ensure a smooth transition that is a success for all users of public space and road systems.

    Using Paris as a case study, transport planners may observe both successes and challenges in adapting to unfolding technological advances. Read the full Eltis write-up, which includes additional context, results, transferability, and opportunities for development, here.

  8. Biking in Style: VanMoof takes over the streets of Paris during Fashion Week

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    All eyes were on Dutch e-bike brand and LEVA-EU member VanMoof, who brought a new, eye-catching mobility trend to this year’s Men’s Paris Fashion Week

    During Men’s Paris Fashion Week, VanMoof rallied an international crew to showcase the ease of city living on an e-bike during one of the busiest and most visible times of the year for the industry. The transformative potential of the e-bike took center stage during VanMoof’s appearance at Paris Fashion Week. Proposing that riding electric offers city dwellers the chance to reclaim their space, the city e-bike pioneers encouraged people to use their bikes as a tool to unlock the endless potential of a modern-day city.

    All eyes on VanMoof

    Paris Fashion Week has traditionally been a place where editors, stylists, tastemakers, and creatives from around the world come together for seven days to determine the direction of the fashion world. Those who flock to the yearly event have traditionally used cars to drive around the congested city in stuffy 30-degree heat, stuck in endless traffic jams and frustrated at the thought of being late to the next show.

    But this year showed that trend to be a thing of the past. This June for the first time, VanMoof supplied over 50 e-bikes to give visitors from all over the world the opportunity to travel around the streets of Paris without breaking a sweat.

    VanMoof’s current Parisian riders include designer Stephane Ashpool, Simon Jacquemus, and Sarah Andleman, each of whom are regularly sighted riding VanMoof e-bikes in the city. This season they were joined by international musicians, editors, and creatives including the likes of Skinny Macho, Aminé, Diplo, David Fischer from HighSnobiety, Dazed street-style photographers and many more.

    A bike-positive future for Paris

    The e-bike brand’s noticeable presence across shows, events, and parties in Paris comes at a crucial time, as attitudes towards biking in the city are undergoing a change. The city municipality is actively encouraging biking, having introduced multiple incentives to make choosing an e-bike more accessible – an act that makes it clear that city legislators worldwide are recognizing the fundamental need to accelerate efforts to both facilitate and encourage biking in urban areas. As part of the city’s Bike Plan, 180,000 additional bike parking spots will be added to the current total of 60,000 – more than tripling the city’s bike racks. And between now and 2026, Parisian riders will gain 180 km of long-awaited and permanent bike lanes.

    Read the full press release and see the custom VanMoof e-bikes here.

  9. Swedish electric motorcycle pioneer CAKE expands operations in France

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    Local organization and central Paris storefront to meet the rising demand for electric, two-wheeled vehicles in the city of light.

    CAKE, the Swedish maker of premium lightweight, electric motorcycles and LEVA-EU member, today announced an expanded commercial focus on France, with Paris becoming a key city in the company’s multi-city structure philosophy. With a sales team already in place, plans include a growing local team to better serve both B2B and B2C customers. A CAKE Pop-Up Store just opened its doors in the Marais district of Paris, with a full-service CAKEsite expected to open later this year.

    “Paris is a key market for us, being the epicenter of innovative, environmental legislation, a place that is buzzing with excitement for clean transportation options. We simply couldn’t think of a better city to head to next,” said Stefan Ytterborn, Founder and CEO of CAKE.

    Paris bans cars
    Paris is targeting a late 2023 introduction of legislation, effectively limiting the movement of cars in its city center. CAKE electric mopeds and motorcycles will be exempt from the ban that is expected to remove approximately 100,000 cars from the streets each day. Additionally, two-wheelers using combustion engines will by September 1st be subject to parking fees, while electric alternatives continue to enjoy free parking on Paris streets.

    “Paris is leading the way and this is an opportunity for both companies and citizens to embrace a very promising future. Fewer cars and trucks equal less congestion, enabling smoother last-mile delivery chains and cleaner, more liveable cities. Clean, silent, and efficient transportation is our entire reason to exist as a company, so we applaud this exciting development,” added Dominique Dutronc, General Sales Manager France, CAKE.

    The CAKE Pop Up Store Paris is now open and is located on 55 rue Notre Dame de Nazareth.

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