Electric scooter riders in Paris and the capital’s inner suburbs are now required to wear helmets and high-visibility or reflective gear under new safety rules introduced following a sharp increase in injuries involving motorized two-wheelers.

The measures came into effect on Friday and apply to users of motorized mobility devices, including electric scooters, Segways and hoverboards, according to Paris police.

Authorities said the new requirements were introduced in response to a rise in accidents involving such devices, with a significant proportion resulting in serious or fatal head injuries.

According to figures cited by Paris police from France’s road safety watchdog, deaths among so-called “unprotected road users” increased sharply in 2025.

A total of 79 people were killed, compared with 45 the previous year, with users of motorized mobility devices among those particularly affected.

The same data showed that around 1,100 e-scooter users suffered serious injuries in 2025, representing a 33% increase from the previous year.

Police said the figures demonstrate the need for stronger safety measures as motorized mobility devices become increasingly common on Paris streets.

Under the new rules, riders who fail to wear a helmet face a €135 ($156) fine.

Those who do not wear a high-visibility vest or appropriate reflective equipment can be fined €35.

Police stressed that the requirements apply at all times on public roads, meaning riders must comply regardless of the time of day.

Paris banned rental e-scooters in 2023 following a public vote driven largely by safety concerns. However, privately owned electric scooters remain widely used throughout the capital.

The latest regulations therefore target the broader use of motorized personal mobility devices rather than rental services alone.

Paris is not the only European city tightening restrictions on e-scooters. Madrid banned rental e-scooters in 2024, while Brussels announced in June that it would also move toward banning rental services.

The new Paris measures reflect growing concern among European authorities over road safety as the use of electric scooters and other motorized mobility devices continues to expand. (ILKHA)