How to Rent Electric Scooters in Paris

Co-authored by Christopher M. Osborne, PhD

Last Updated: July 16, 2022 References

Paris has quickly become one of the most popular cities in the world for renting electric scooters—or trottinettes électriques, as the locals call them. In fact, e-scooters became so popular that the city had to crack down on the number of scooters and scooter operators, and enact numerous restrictions as of mid-2020. That said, it’s still incredibly easy to find, rent, and use an electric scooter when you’re in La Ville-Lumière (The City of Light).

Question 1 of 9:

Which electric scooter companies operate in Paris?

Lime, Tier, and Dott are the only authorized operators as of July 2020. These 3 operators were given 2-year contracts to be the only electric scooter operators in Paris. They each are permitted to operate 5,000 scooters, which means there are some 15,000 electric scooters available throughout the city.^{[1]
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- In 2019 there were 10 operators and somewhere around 20,000 electric scooters in the city. Complaints from Parisians about scooters zooming by on sidewalks and being left all over the place led city leadership to crack down and set numerous regulations.^{[2]
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Question 2 of 9:

Do I need a Lime, Tier, or Dott account and app?

Yes, you must have an existing account and the operator’s smartphone app. Download the app and set up an account with your chosen operator(s). You’ll have to set up a payment method so that you can either preload your account with funds or be charged as you go.^{[3]
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- While it’s easier to take care of this ahead of time, you can decide on the spot to set up an account and rent a scooter if you wish.

Question 3 of 9:

How do I find a scooter to rent?

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Look for scooters at designated docking stations throughout Paris. All 3 operators have numerous docking stations spread throughout the city—look for the Lime, Tier, or Dott logo and a docking rack with a bunch of scooters! If you don’t see one nearby, open your scooter operator’s app and find the map function, which will indicate docking stations in your vicinity.^{[4]
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You’ll also find scooters parked randomly throughout the city. Big shocker here—not every rider returns their scooter to a designated docking station. You can rent any scooter you do find randomly parked, then congratulate yourself for helping to tidy up the City of Light!^{[5]
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Question 4 of 9:

How do I use the app to rent a specific scooter?

Open the Lime, Tier, or Dott app and scan the QR code on the handlebars. No matter the operator, renting a scooter is very similar and really easy. Find the large QR code on the center of the handlebars and scan it with your app. Check the battery level for the scooter on the app, then press the tab to confirm that you want to complete the rental.^{[6]
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- Don’t ignore the battery check indicator before renting a scooter. It’s really annoying to have your scooter run out of juice halfway up the Montmartre hill!

Question 5 of 9:

How much does it cost?

Expect to pay around €1 to unlock a scooter and €0.15 per minute. Prices can vary by operator, and are likely to increase over time, but this is the general price range as of mid-2020. Check your operator’s app for current pricing.^{[7]
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- As of January 2021, €1 (Euro) is equal to about $1.22 (USD).

Question 6 of 9:

Where can I ride an electric scooter in Paris?

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Stay in designated bikeways whenever possible. Bikeways are the safest and most convenient option for riding a scooter legally in Paris. They are clearly marked with painted lines, bicycle logos, and directional arrows. Most bikeways have 2-way traffic, so stay in your lane and go in the direction of the arrows.^{[8]
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- Paris now has some 700 km (430 mi) of bikeways and is rapidly adding more in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.^{[9]
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- Before planning a specific scooter trip within the city, check online for a map of bikeway routes.^{[10]
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Use motor vehicle lanes when necessary, and obey all traffic laws. Electric scooters are permitted on the roads in Paris, but you must obey all motor vehicle traffic laws. Stay to the outside edge of the lane whenever possible and expect cars to pass you aggressively. Stay alert—Parisians are not known for being overly patient or “by-the-book” drivers!^{[11]
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- Stick to the bikeways whenever they’re available. This is the much safer option.
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Do not ride your electric scooter on the sidewalk. Banning scooters from sidewalks was the number-one goal of the restrictions put in place in 2020. You can be fined at least €135 for riding on the sidewalk—and that makes for a very expensive ride!^{[12]
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Question 7 of 9:

What are some of the other key rules for scooters in Paris?

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You must be at least 12 years of age and ride solo. No passengers are permitted on electric scooters, including small children strapped to baby carriers. Actually, children under age 12 aren’t allowed to be on an electric scooter at all.^{[13]
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The speed limit for electric scooters is 25 km (16 mi) per hour. The scooters available to rent in Paris are calibrated not to exceed this speed. For safety, aim to keep the scooter at or below 15 km (9.3 mi) per hour under most conditions^{[14]
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- Take it easy and go slow when you’re new to using an electric scooter! You’ll get the hang of it quickly, but it’s not safe to just go zipping off at full throttle.
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Put a helmet on your head but no headphones in your ears. Helmets are not legally required, but they are highly recommended by the authorities. Headphones, earbuds, and similar devices are specifically banned and you may be subject to a fine.^{[15]
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- Helmets are not available for rent, which means you’ll either have to buy one in Paris or bring one from home. Neither option is ideal, but make safety your priority.

Question 8 of 9:

How do I operate an electric scooter?

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Push off and use the throttle lever on the right handle to accelerate. If you’re right handed, put your left foot on the footpad, facing straight forward. Push off with your right foot and place it on the footpad, behind and perpendicular to your left foot. Toggle the throttle lever downward slightly to engage the electric motor. The further you push the lever downward, the faster you’ll go.^{[16]
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- Keep both hands on the handlebars at all times.
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Use the lever brake on the left handle to stop the scooter. Release the throttle with your right hand and squeeze the brake lever with your left hand. The lever brake operates in exactly the same way as a bicycle brake. Squeeze with full force only if you need to stop immediately.^{[17]
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- Coast to a stop by letting go of the throttle and gently squeezing the brake as you begin to slow down.

Question 9 of 9:

What do I do with the scooter when I'm done?

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Use the app to find a parking area and end your session. Whenever possible, complete your ride by parking the scooter at one of the labeled docking stations. These are located all over Paris and help to prevent the scooter clutter that frustrates the locals so much. Once parked, press the button on your app to end your session—don’t forget this part, or you’ll continue to be charged for using the scooter!^{[18]
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- If you can’t leave your scooter at a docking station, park it upright in an out-of-the-way spot on the sidewalk, not directly in the line of pedestrian traffic. Keep in mind that you may be fined at least €35 if your parked scooter is deemed to be blocking the sidewalk.^{[19]
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Put down the kickstand and leave the scooter upright. Electric scooters have kickstands, so please use them! Simply push down the kickstand with your foot to park the scooter upright. Don’t just lay it on its side, since this takes up far more space on the already-narrow sidewalks of Paris.^{[20]
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Warnings

Although it’s not required by law in Paris, always wear a helmet when operating an electric scooter. Bikeways in Paris are often right next to the lanes for automobile traffic.

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