Paris, also known as the City of Lights, has been at the forefront of shared micromobility services, having introduced electric scooters in 2018. The impact of these electric shared scooters on the city has been varied, including reducing the need for private car use and promoting sustainable mobility. E-scooters have been shown to be a cost-effective and convenient mode of transportation, especially for short trips within the city (UC Berkeley, 2021).
One study conducted by the University of California, Berkeley found that e-scooters could serve as a viable alternative to cars and taxis for short trips. The study found that 49% of e-scooter riders in Paris would have otherwise used a car or taxi, indicating that e-scooters could help reduce car trips (UC Berkeley, 2021).
Furthermore, e-scooters have the potential to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion, making Paris a cleaner and more livable city. According to a study by the Institut d’AmĂ©nagement et d’Urbanisme de la RĂ©gion ĂŽle-de-France (IAU), the use of e-scooters in Paris has led to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, further indicating their potential as a sustainable mode of transportation (IAU, 2021).
Shared electric scooters have also been shown to bridge the last-mile gap in public transportation, providing a viable option for short trips that would otherwise require a taxi or public transportation. A report by the European Cyclists’ Federation found that shared electric scooters have the potential to improve urban mobility by complementing existing public transportation systems (ECF, 2021).
The upcoming public vote in Paris on whether to ban e-scooters reflects the concerns of the city government regarding the negative impacts of e-scooters. However, it is equally important to recognize their potential as a sustainable and practical solution for short trips within the city and also look at the continuous improvements of the electric scooter services with regards to the quality of service, safety, parking related issues and more.
In conclusion, the use of shared electric scooters in Paris has shown potential for reducing car use, improving air quality, and promoting sustainable urban mobility. However, safety concerns and issues with clutter and obstruction on the streets need to be addressed through better regulation and enforcement of safety measures, not by banning these services because their added value has been proven and it would be a shame if they would be banned. The upcoming public vote on whether to ban e-scooters in Paris highlights the need for careful consideration of the positive and negative impacts of shared micromobility services. It remains to be seen whether the decision in Paris will have a ripple effect on other cities with e-scooter pilot programs. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize the potential of these services as part of a sustainable and efficient urban transportation system.
References:
- Berkeley Transportation Sustainability Research Center (2021). “E-Scooters in Paris: A case study of user perceptions and behavior.” Science Direct. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590192721000268.
- Institut d’Aménagement et d’Urbanisme de la Région Île-de-France (2021). “Evaluation de la mise en place des trottinettes électriques en libre-service dans l’agglomération parisienne.” https://www.iau-idf.fr/savoir-faire/evaluations-et-etudes/enquetes-de-terrain/evaluation-de-la-mise-en-place-des-trottinettes-electriques-en-libre-service-dans-lagglomeration-parisienne.html.
- ECF (2021). Shared e-scooters are worth the hype but they need to be deployed the right way. European Cyclists’ Federation. Retrieved from https://ecf.com/news-and-events/news/report-shared-e-scooters-are-worth-hype-they-need-be-deployed-right-way
- Bird (2021). “The State of E-Scooters: Results from Bird’s Global Safety Report.” https://www.bird.co/safety-report/
- Lime (2021). “Lime 2021 Safety Report.” https://www.li.me/second-street/lime-2021-safety-report
- City of Paris (2021). “Electric scooters: the City of Paris to launch a consultation ahead of the call for tenders.” https://www.paris.fr/pages/trottinettes-electriques-la-ville-de-paris-lance-une-consultation-avant-l-appel-d-offres-10112
- The Local (2021). “Paris votes to ban electric scooters from pavements.” https://www.thelocal.fr/20211207/paris-votes-to-ban-electric-scooters-from-pavements/
