Tradition often causes knee jerk responses to climate change. This may be due to too much variation, too soon or maybe resistance to the old ways passing. A better way applies past experience to future solutions. Take the official reaction to electric scooter protests in France. There, the government is responding by introducing new controls along traditional lines.
The French Response to Electric Scooter Protests
The French government has called time on unregulated electric scooter use according to the BBC. From October 27 onward, riders may not travel on pavements and must be at least twelve years old. We view this as a positive response to electric scooter protests against unregulated use.
Not banning them outright shows that individual personal electric transport is here to stay. However, we agree that public safety expects mature management. As junior transport minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari explains, the new rules are there to encourage more responsible electric scooter use. And to restore tranquility to pedestrians, in particular the most vulnerable: the elderly, children and handicapped people.
These Rules Apply in France from October 27, 2019
Riding on sidewalks may only be at walking pace in future and where permissible. Passengers are out of the question, as is mobile phone use. Furthermore, headphones are not allowed, and users must obey traffic flow and not ride on country roads.
Should we welcome these responses to electric scooter protests? We believe we should, because they make sense to us. And moreover, they recognize the move away from burning fossil fuel to take us between work and home. We suppose these rubbing points are bound to occur, as exuberant youth embraces their better, greener future.
And why not, when a fossil-free future promises a tomorrow where kids may be filled with optimism again. Because they know their children may enjoy a positive future too.
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Preview Image: Electric Scooters Obstructing Sidewalk
