E-scooter in Paris

France is set to raise the minimum age to use an electric scooter from 12 to 14, its transport minister said on Wednesday, ahead of a weekend vote in Paris on whether to ban the devices. The government is poised to unveil a new regulation plan for e-scooters which will propose raising the age limit and increasing fines for two people riding at the same time from 35 to 135 euros.

Voters in Paris are to be asked on Sunday to participate in a referendum organised by city authorities on whether to ban them. Fans view them as a fun, affordable and emissions-free mode of transport, while critics say they are dangerous, often driven badly, and clutter up the capital's already crowded streets.