Unusual for the French to ban anything but clearly some think that e-scooters are a real problem . I understand that it only the hire scooters and not privately owned ones. In the UK the genie is out of the bottle and the authorities don't know which way to jump extending so called trial periods to put off a critical decision. It does defy common reason for e-scooters to be mixing with road traffic and being ridden on the pavement. The injuries to riders when they fall off or hit something or someone do not seem acceptable. Only the other day a girl was riding one accompanied by her 2 huskies!

In the UK the genie is out of the bottle and the authorities don't know which way to jump extending so called trial periods to put off a critical decision.

Agree that the UK authorities have been far too slow with how to deal with both escooters and non regulated ebikes. Because there are so many on the go now it is difficult to see how they would/could enforce any outright ban.

It does defy common reason for e-scooters to be mixing with road traffic

As with ebikes, there are plenty of larger wheeled escooters more than capable of 30+mph (in some cases double). But it wouldn't be wise to have small wheeled escooters mixing with road traffic as an encounter with even a modest sized UK pothole would almost certainly see the rider crashing, with potentially tragic results.

But back to Paris. As it will presumably be left to the police to enforce this ban, I can't help thinking a better solution would be if those same police were to enforce an on the spot fine to any escooter (or ebike or normal bike) rider behaving irresponsibly/recklessly. Simply taking the escooter away from the irresponsible users does nothing to deter them from behaving irresponsibly on anything else.

It is quite clear that there is a problem with scooters. Mixing with pedestrians they are two wheeled killers piloted by inconsiderate maniacs on pavements. In traffic they are vulnerable road users who should not mix with other motorised transport in case they get hurt or die.

Whichever explanation suits the argument being made, or perhaps both at the same time, it is unclear why only scooters should be banned. What about push bikes, e-bikes, or mopeds all of which are potentially maniac and/or vulnerable ridden.

Just to be on the safe side, pedestrians should be banned for their own good. They are not usually a threat to other road or pavement users, but are unquestionably seriously vulnerable.

Finally drivers of small cars should be advised not to venture out during school run times in case they fall foul of the 2000kg Chelsea tractor brigade.