Electric bikes and scooters: Is registration required?

A new bill proposing to introduce registration and registration certificates for electric bikes – and scooters – does not have unanimous support, especially from the FUB.

Although the Hauts-de-Seine department is not particularly inclined to develop bike infrastructure, one of its senators aims to restrict their legal framework. It is Xavier Iacovelli, from the Renaissance party, who is advocating for the registration of electric bikes. Or more specifically, electric assist bikes, under the acronym VAE (Vélo à Assistance Électrique).

According to him, the development of these vehicles only symbolizes “many abuses, incivility, and dangerous behaviors.” Worse, he considers electric scooters “a source of danger in our cities”, and “now leading to a saturation of public space at the expense of pedestrians”.

A bill… which already has a precedent

The senator has filed a bill proposal, along with 20 other senators, to “make mandatory” license plates, but also on “motorized personal transport devices” or EDPM. This also concerns electric scooters and similar devices (draisines, monorails, etc.).

To implement this obligation, Xavier Iacovelli wants to modify the road code – article L. 322-1 A – and include all electric vehicles limited to 25 km/h. He also proposes applying this measure starting January 1, 2024. A very short timeline for hundreds of thousands (millions?) of electric bikes and scooters, considering the time needed for the procedure until publication in the Official Journal. According to the senator, the legislative framework would allow:

• control of these vehicles and hold their users accountable in case of accidents or infractions;
• better identification of these devices;
• additional means for law enforcement to combat misconduct.

In reality, the idea is not new. In June 2022, Senator Dominique Estrosi Sassone filed a similar bill targeting electric scooters. With similar motives, this text remains at the proposal stage for now. In July 2021, another bill proposed by Jérôme Durain sought to mandate helmet use on bikes. The Senate rejected it in the first reading in January 2022.

For a pro-bike federation, it’s a no

The FUB (Federation of Bicyclists) strongly condemned this bill in an article. They consider that this law is an “unnecessary and costly bureaucratic process< strong> for both users and public finances”. Another argument against the bill is that the FUB states it “targets the transport mode actively contributing to the decarbonization of mobility, while missing the real issues”.

In response, the federation proposes three counterarguments and priorities:

• Create bike lanes and peaceful routes for cyclists;
• Control urban and suburban speeds;
• Fight against dangerous behaviors on the road.

Registration of electric bikes already exists for “speedbikes”

You might not know this, but a category of bikes already requires registration. These are speedbikes, bikes whose maximum electric assist speed is 45 km/h, and classified as mopeds. In addition to an obligatory rear license plate, like all mopeds, you need a left mirror, a crossing front light, a rear stop light, insurance, gloves, and a full-face helmet.

Regarding electric scooters, it is the dockless rental vehicles that have introduced license plates in Paris only.

Also read: Electric bikes and scooters: easier and cheaper repairs in 2023