Test: How Good Are Yego’s Shareable Scooters?

Dockless scooters are now part of the daily life of many city dwellers. In Paris, four operators share the market: Cityscoot, Cooltra, Troopy, and Yego. Today, we focus on the latter.

Yego operates in the cities of Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Paris. In the capital, the company introduced an additional 500 scooters at the start of the school year to anticipate the increased demand expected from the implementation of paid parking for thermal two-wheelers. Currently, Yego has about 2,500 scooters in Paris, 300 in Toulouse, and 250 in Bordeaux.

Application

Available on the App Store and Google Play, Yego’s app can be downloaded in just a few seconds. After creating an account, the user is asked to submit an identity document, a driver’s license, and a photo of themselves. These documents are then verified very quickly by Yego.

Available scooters are displayed on a map within the app. By default, Yego offers a scooter very close to the user’s location, but nothing prevents selecting another one a bit farther away. The battery level is shown as a percentage, without any kilometer autonomy indicator. The scooter’s name (Laurie, Rosa, Magnus, etc.) is also mentioned. Yes, Yego names each of its vehicles.

Once a reservation is made, the user has 15 minutes to find their scooter and unlock it via the app. Upon arrival, they must use the app again to end the rental. A photo demonstrating proper parking of the scooter will be required. Then, the payment step follows, which takes just a few seconds on the app.

Scooter

Provided by Pink Mobility, Yego’s scooter draws attention with Vespa-like lines and a light green color. Of the three we tested in Paris, two were equipped with a smartphone holder and a front shield. The top case contains two helmets accessible to the rider and their passenger, as well as hair covers. Like its competitors, Yego does not supply gloves, which are mandatory for riding a motorized two-wheeler.

Getting on the scooter reveals a very upright and comfortable riding position. Legroom is ample thanks to the large floorboard. However, the initial positive impression is quickly followed by a small disappointment during the first rides. While one might expect an energetic start, the scooter displays a rather sluggish character. The lack of responsiveness and power can be inconvenient on major roads. This phenomenon is even more noticeable when the battery level is low. The scooter is limited to about 25 km/h when the road ramps up, even on gentle slopes. If the user hasn’t anticipated this, the situation can become dangerous.

Yego’s scooter also falls short in comfort. The firm suspensions cause significant vibrations. Crossing a cobbled area feels like a small ordeal. Braking, on the other hand, is more reassuring. Though not very powerful, it is easy to modulate and adequate for a machine limited to 45 km/h.

Prices

Per-minute prices vary by city: from 29 cents in Bordeaux and Toulouse, up to 36 cents in Paris. The minimum charge for Parisians is €1.80, covering 5 minutes of riding. Elsewhere, there is no minimum flat rate. Even for a very short ride, you will pay exactly for the minutes used.

As with competitors, Yego offers packages at lower per-minute costs. These range from €9.90 to €90 and differ slightly depending on the city. In Toulouse and Paris, users can also choose subscriptions for a set duration. For example, a Toulouse user can take a 30-day / 1,000-minute plan at €100, with a limit of 100 minutes per day. Yego also offers a 72-hour plan with unlimited kilometers for €40.

Insurance is included with the service. In case of a responsible claim, the deductible is €300.

Summary

Yego offers a mixed experience. The service is responsive, and the app is well designed, but the scooters used are basic and lack responsiveness. The prices are generally aligned with those of competitors. Without a subscription or prepaid pack, frequent use can quickly become costly.

Also read: Review of Cityscoot scooter rental: versatile, convenient, but expensive