Traffic and mobility

Electric scooters are now banned for children under 14

Publié le null - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

A decree issued in Official Journal on 1er september 2023 raised the minimum age for electric scooters to 14. He was 12 years old. This measure is part of the objective to “protect, deter and avoid dangerous behavior” of the National Plan to Better Regulate Electric Scooters, presented in March 2023 by the Ministry of Transport.

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Image 1Crédits: bortnikau - stock.adobe.com

Report To 14 years the age requirement for riding an electric scooter is intended to prevent accidents that may occur because of a driver’s very young age and limited experience, the government said in a statement. Furthermore, 14 years is the age from which it is possible to drive mopeds or small cars.

Reminder

The National Plan to Better Regulate Electric Scooters was presented following the sharp increase in the number of serious accidents involving the different types of personal motorized transport equipment (mPDT): + 36% between 2021 and 2022, according to data from the National Interministerial Road Safety Observatory. This increase is linked in particular to the sharp increase in the practice.

More expensive fines

The decree also tightened penalties for those who carry a passenger on their electric scooter - these vehicles are for personal use only - as well as for driving on prohibited roads (urban fast lanes...). The fines for such behavior increase from EUR 35 to EUR 135. Traffic on the sidewalks, except when authorized by the mayor, was already punishable by a fine of 135 euros.

Within a built-up area, scooter riders must ride on bicycle lanes and lanes. When there are none, they can move on roads with a maximum authorized speed of 50 km/h or less.

Outside built-up areas, they must drive on greenways and bike paths.

Please note

these new rules apply to all motorized personal transport equipment, including gyropods, electric monorouds and hoverboards.

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