The electric scooter has become widely popular in France in recent years. This means of transport is now in the urban landscape of all major French cities (Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux for example). This offers real advantages compared to more traditional means of transport. In fact, the electric scooter saves time and makes journeys more pleasant in addition to being a more ecological alternative. With the growth of this means of transport and the development of urban areas and ever more dense traffic on the roads, the practice is sometimes dangerous. The question of user safety is therefore crucial, particularly regarding whether or not to wear a helmet.
What the Law says regarding wearing a helmet on an electric scooter
In France, the law concerning the use of electric scooters and other EDPM (electric bicycle and skateboard for example) is linked to the Highway Code. It is possible to be confused when trying to find out about the compulsory nature of wearing a helmet on an electric scooter. It is important to distinguish between the practice of agglomeration and practice outside built-up areas.
In urban areas, wearing a helmet is not not obligatory. This poses a major safety problem for the safety of electric scooter users. However, Weebot strongly recommends that you wear a headset, of good quality and which will ensure good security.
Conversely, outside built-up areas, the helmet is OBLIGATORY. Weebot recommends that you respect the law so as not to expose yourself to serious risks in the event of an accident and to avoid fines of up to several hundred euros.
In addition to the helmet, wearing complete equipment will allow you to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries (reflective vest, lights, horn, etc.). The laws may not be the same depending on whether you are in an urban area or not and may also vary depending on the region. It is therefore important to keep yourself regularly informed of updates in terms of regulation.
Why should you wear a helmet on an electric scooter?
Today traffic on the roads is very dense in large cities like Paris for example. With the development of new means of transport such as EDPM in particular, there may be significant speed differences between users. In order to avoid the risk of an accident as much as possible, it is important to know the roads you will take when taking a scooter as well as the new law that applies to it. This will allow you to be better prepared and anticipate danger more easily.
Along the same lines, wearing suitable accessories is essential for electric scooters. The helmet is surely the most essential of them. Indeed, the head being a very sensitive part of the body, it is necessary to choose a model offering good support for maximum security. For this, it is necessary choose the right helmet size.
Although wearing a helmet helps reduce the risk of injury, it is also necessary to comply with the new law in effect in order to ensure everyone's safety on the road (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.).
Other Rules to Respect on an Electric Scooter
The Minimum Age to ride an Electric Scooter
You must be at least 18 years old 14 years old to ride an Electric Scooter, in town and outside towns. The minimum age was initially 12 years old. For safety reasons, it has been set at 14 in 2023. You must therefore keep informed of updates to the new regulations concerning EDPMs because they often change.
Maximum Speed on an Electric Scooter
The maximum speed limit is 25 km/h. This limitation aims to ensure the safety of users present on the roadways, particularly on bike paths. Tampering with your electric scooter is strictly prohibited and may result in a fine of up to €1500, in addition to the risks of serious accidents and injuries. This maximum speed limit is established to guarantee the safest possible urban landscape and roadways. Exceeding this speed limit constitutes a violation of the new regulations in force. To avoid not only heavy fines but also to preserve everyone's safety, you can choose to ride a 25 km/h electric scooter.
The Number of Authorized Passengers
It is prohibited to carry a passenger with you on your electric scooter. Once again, failure to comply with this measure exposes you to fines.
Civil Liability Insurance
In the event of an inspection, you are required to provide proof of an insurance contract covering at least your civil liability. Indeed, in the absence of such insurance, you expose yourself not only to a fine, but also to potentially serious consequences in the event of an accident. You must therefore regularly check that your vehicle is properly insured in order to avoid an unpleasant surprise during a Police check. You can also consult your insurance company and ask them for information relating to your contract. This allows you to be sure that you are always in compliance with the new regulations. We offer a service d’assurance for electric scooters.
Parking
Parking for electric scooters is allowed on sidewalks. only if it does not prevent pedestrians from passing, for example. You need to be careful where you leave your scooter at night as it can be dangerous with the lack of visibility. You must also be careful not to park on cycle paths as this could cause accidents. Be careful, a city is exception to this law and prohibits parking on sidewalks. It is Paris where parking on the sidewalk exposes you to a fine of €49. Weebot therefore recommends that you inform yourself about the regulations in force in your area of residence. You can also ask the police directly who will be able to answer you. Find more information about the new regulation set up by consulting our blog.
Advice on equipment suitable for the Electric Scooter
Riding an electric scooter involves risks which you need to be aware of before taking the road. The presence of road works as well as bad weather can create risky situations for users. Due to these risks, it is necessary to provide equipment adapted to the practice.
- Audible warning (allows you to warn a bicycle or a pedestrian on cycle paths for example)
- Reflective vest (warning light for lack of visibility at night)
- helmet (no obligation in built-up areas)
- Front and rear lights (warning light for lack of visibility at night)
- Braking system (an effective braking system allows you to anticipate obstacles on the roads and avoid numerous damages)
- Reflective lights (drive safely with reflective lights to increase your visibility)
- Rear view mirror (a rear view mirror also allows you to avoid dangers present on the roads)
FAQ
Can you ride an electric scooter on cycle paths?
It is even obligatory to ride on the cycle path on an electric scooter. This rule is in force for safety reasons because it is considered that scooters and bicycles go at the same speed when traveling. This is also important for the visibility of scooters at night. Sharing these roads requires cyclists and electric scooter users to respect the new regulations for the safety of all.
What type of helmet should I buy?
There are many types of electric scooter helmets: snowboard helmets, bicycle helmets, full-face helmets and jet helmets. These all offer some protection. With this type of machine being able to reach high speed, it is important to choose a model adapted to your practice and the speeds at which you ride. We recommend that you find a headset at good size and adapted to your body shape.
Is the law the same for electric scooters as for bicycles?
Just like on a scooter, wearing a helmet is not compulsory on an electric bike. However, it is strongly recommended to wear one for the same safety reasons as for an electric scooter.
Is the helmet really effective?
Wearing a helmet helps to significantly reduce the risk serious injury to the driver. Even if the helmet alone is not enough to avoid serious injuries, it is the accessory indispensable on an electric scooter. In cases of deaths occurring on an electric scooter, the driver was not wearing a helmet in 9 out of 10 cases.
