Could electric scooters be allowed to use bus lanes?

According to a decree published in the official journal on November 20, 2020, electric scooters and motorcycles are authorized to use reserved lanes, including those for public transport and taxis. This article has caused considerable confusion within the two-wheeled vehicle community in France. Many have misinterpreted this statement and believed they could use the lanes without any restrictions.

Good news for electric scooter enthusiasts! Following the authorization for electric cars and vans under 3.5 tons to use bus lanes, it is now the turn of two-wheeled, three-wheeled, and four-wheeled vehicles (quads and microcars) equipped with an electric motor to benefit from this permission. As a reminder, this access was strictly prohibited to all vehicles except buses and taxis before the publication of the decree, at least in theory. In reality, we often see users, such as electric scooter enthusiasts, taking the risks of using these lanes. The main reason for implementing this provision is that electric two-wheelers are now considered VTFE (Very Low Emission Vehicles).

The provision has not yet come into effect.

It should be noted that this provision is not applied throughout the entire city. According to the Mobility Orientation Law passed in 2019, the right to authorize access to bus lanes for electric two-wheelers rests with the municipality or inter-municipal authority responsible for transportation. Without this authorization, using these lanes is still considered a traffic violation. Furthermore, to be able to circulate freely in bus lanes, electric scooter riders must have a Crit’Air sticker.

A measure encouraging the French to switch to electric vehicles.

It’s true that this measure was implemented to improve urban traffic flow. However, it can be argued that for the government, it’s an additional measure aimed at encouraging the French to choose electric vehicles over internal combustion engine vehicles.