Why the French are Setting Fire to E-Scooters
As the streets of France fill with electric scooters, so too has the tension between scooter-riders and opponents of the vehicle. In the past couple of years, the news has been filled with reports of e-scooters being torched, vandalized, and destroyed—all acts of protest against the increasingly popular urban mobility tool. As tensions in France continue to rise, it is important to understand why the French are passionately opposing e-scooters and how significant of a public nuisance the electric scooter has become.
What is an E-Scooter?
An e-scooter, or electronic scooter, is an electric vehicle with two wheels that is powered by a motor. E-scooters typically have a maximum speed of about 15 miles per hour (24 kilometers per hour), and are powered by a lithium-ion battery. Riders use the vehicle to take short rides, and are particularly popular for short hops within a city or urban environment.
E-scooters have quickly become a popular form of transportation among the general public. Many ride them for fun and leisure, while others use them to move from place to place. A major reason why they have become so popular is because they are economical—a single charge of an e-scooter battery can provide between 10 and 15 miles (16 and 24 kilometers) of range, meaning that each charge costs very little money.
Why the French are Protesting E-Scooters
Despite the benefit that e-scooters are giving to commuters across Europe, France is one of the few countries that has seen passionate opposition. While the majority of French citizens agree that the e-scooter is a helpful form of public transportation, some are beginning to feel a significant nuisance caused by their presence on the streets.
In Paris, e-scooters are being banned from certain areas. The government recently announced plans to increase fines for those caught riding e-scooters on the streets, bringing the penalty up to €500 euros ($560 USD). Local authorities have even gone so far as to purchase GPS tracking equipment and sensors to enforce this ruling.
Recent reports of vandalism and arson suggest that the French population has been gradually growing tired of the presence of e-scooters and are taking matters into their own hands. Some of the claims from those who support the acts of arson include:
• Annoyance at reckless riders who “flood the streets”. Some angry citizens have even begun to give the vehicles pet-names such as “tapettes à mouches” (fly swatters) in reference to their dangerous recklessness.
• Frustration at the increasing congestion and patrols that the electric scooter culture brings.
• Displeasure with the environmental damage caused by the electric scooters—for both the polluting emissions they produce and the parts that are left disposed of in the streets.
• Anger at the “globcal” companies that own the majority of the e-scooters, such as Lime and Bird. This has also led to vandalism of the scooters’ repair stations as a way for French citizens to voice their displeasure with the companies.
• Urban pollution. e-Scooters occupy parking spaces and taking up sidewalks, blocking handicap accessibility and adding clutter to already-cluttered walkways.
• Contempt for tech companies catering to tourists, taking away from the French lifestyle. A recent report from The Washington Post noted that locals in Paris have been growing increasingly resentful at the influx of e-scooters that tend to cater to tourists, disrupting the city’s cultural landscape.
• Feeling overlooked by the e-scooter industry. A survey by LifeCity, a company that surveys French pollution, reported that eight out of 10 French citizens felt they were not being consulted when electric scooter companies were installing fleets in their cities.
The Long-Term Effects of Torching E-Scooters
As the rancor towards e-scooters continues, so too do the acts of taking matters into their own hands. A recent report from The Guardian estimated that over 400 e-scooters have been burned in France since the beginning of 2019, and that the number is only expected to rise as the summer approaches.
Although it is understandable why some citizens feel the need to take drastic measures, the truth is that torching e-scooters only further increases the tension between the groups in favor of electric scooters and their opposition. Doing so may bring a form of immediate satisfaction to those that are unhappy with the presence of the vehicle, but it does not solve the underlying tension nor does it actually give riders a chance to address the issues they are facing.
Additionally, burning e-scooters sends a dangerous message. Not only can it damage public property and put people in danger, it can also encourage others to participate in similar activities. At the same time, it does little to actually rectify the issues that are happening on the streets or the underlying problems that are causing those issues.
What Can Be Done?
Despite the furor e-scooters have caused in their short lifetime, there is still hope for their continued presence in French cities. The first step is for both sides of the argument to come together and find a solution that addresses the individual needs of both riders and opponents of the electric scooter.
To start, it is important that government officials and local authorities come together to ensure that there is adequate enforcement of the laws they have put in place. This includes regularly checked registration documents and greater enforcement of speed limits.
It is also crucial that riders are taught and made aware of safe riding practices. This means following the rules of the road, being aware of their surroundings, and considering those around them.
At the same time, it is important that e-scooter companies are held accountable for their actions. As the majority of the vehicles cluttering the streets belong to companies such as Bird and Lime, it is important that they be required to properly maintain the vehicles and not leave them to remain on the streets when they become a nuisance.
Finally, it is important to consider the economic angle. Many of those participating in the protests against e-scooters argue that these vehicles are taking away from existing services, such as taxis and buses, that employ many locals and generate income for the city. It is important for authorities to find ways for these services to remain viable while embracing the electric scooter.
Electric scooters remain a controversial topic in French culture, and they do not seem to be going away anytime soon. Although it is understandable why the French are frustrated with the presence of electric scooters, it is not helpful to take matters into their own hands. Instead, it is important for both riders and opponents of the vehicle to come together, consider the various factors (such as safety, enforcement of laws, economic impact, and environmental damage) that have lead to the current discord, and find a peaceful compromise that works for both parties. Only then can all stakeholders involved find a way to not just peacefully coexist but benefit from the electric scooter.
