Lorient: Electric Scooter Rentals, a First in Brittany

Lorient becomes the first Breton city to adopt electric micro-mobility with 90 self-service scooters from the French operator Pony.

For various reasons, whether it’s milder temperatures or the Interceltic Festival, Lorient is a popular destination this summer 2022. Tourists, but also locals, are discovering new devices: electric scooters available for rent.

90 self-service rental scooters

It’s been less than a month, exactly since July 13, that the vehicles have arrived in the capital of Morbihan. The French operator launched 90 electric scooters in Lorient, the first city in Brittany to host such a service.

This “aligns with the City of Lorient’s goal to offer alternatives to individual cars and thereby reduce the carbon footprint of Lorient residents’ travel” declares Laure Dechavanne, deputy mayor in charge of mobility.

Where to find scooters in Lorient?

Pony has distributed the 90 electric scooters across nine parking locations. Unique signage near these spots helps to identify them, and the operator’s app clearly displays them on the map with a pink “P”.

Here is the list of locations for electric scooters in Lorient:

• 4 Avenue du Faouedic (after the festival)
• 42 Avenue de la Perrière
• Place d’Armes (after the festival)
• Place François Mitterrand
• Palais des congrès – Quai Gustave Mansion (after the festival)
• Sector of La Base – 4 Raymond Rallier du Baty street
• Armand Guillemot Street
• 95 Rue Kerjulaude
• Place de la Liberté

To avoid conflict with other users and pedestrians, Pony collects geolocation data. It also requires users to take a photo at the end of their trip. In case of violation, the service charges a fine of 10 euros.

Unlike other cities like Cherbourg, Lorient has not established zones with reduced speed. However, Pony’s electric scooters keep their speed limit at 25 km/h, as required by law.

How do the scooters work in Lorient and what are the prices?

As with any self-service rental system, everything is managed via an app. Simply download the Pony app on Android or iOS, and create an account. The user unlocks the scooter by scanning the QR code located on the handlebar of the desired scooter, and can start their ride.

Several rate options are available depending on the duration of use. Here is how the prices are structured in Lorient:

• €1 + €0.15/minute for under 30 minutes;
• €5.50 for 30 minutes to 1 hour;
• €11 for 1 to 2 hours (€5.5/hour);
• €15 for 2 to 24 hours, totaling 15 euros for a day.

Read also: Self-service scooters arrive in mid-sized cities