The people of Paris have voted 9-1 in a referendum to ban e-scooters, making it the first European capital to outlaw the travel mode.

Lime, Dott and Tier have been offering rental rides but the vote means their contracts will not be renewed.

France 24 reports Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s administration welcomedoperators with open arms in 2018, but it has progressively tightened regulations since, creating designated parking zones, limiting the top speed and restricting the number of operators.

The broadcaster adds that these measures have failed to convince residents, who have complained about reckless and drunken driving, as well as clutter on pavements, while a spate of fatal accidents has also highlighted the dangers of vehicles that can currently be hired by children as young as 12.

“I’m committed to respecting the choice of voters, purely and simply,” Hidalgo told reporters as she voted on Sunday.

(Picture – Yay Images)