A Parisian opposition elected official proposed on Tuesday to experiment with banning thermal motorized two-wheelers at night to reduce noise and air pollution, a decision which falls within the competence of the Metropolis, the left-wing executive responded.
“Nearly 50% of Parisians have impaired sleep”
due to noise pollution, estimates Pierre-Yves Bournazel (Horizons) based on the City of Paris' Sound Environment Improvement Plan which estimates that 1.1 million Parisians are subject to noise below 45 decibels at night.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that sleep deterioration can occur from 30 decibels, recalled this opposition elected official.
“Interesting” proposal
Bournazel proposed to ban for one year
“the circulation of thermal motorized two-wheelers in the capital between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.”
and in return
“to double the financial aid to change your scooter into a bicycle or electric scooter”
.
Welcoming an “interesting”
proposal
, the deputy (EELV) for mobility David Belliard however rejected it.
“It cannot be implemented by the City”
because this competence falls to the Métropole du Grand Paris (MGP), supervisory authority of the Low Emission Zone (ZFE), explained Belliard.
The elected environmentalist took the opportunity to criticize the government in which Horizons participates, which according to him
“accepts thresholds that are simply unacceptable”
for sound radars.
This measure is already in force in the city center of Madrid where thermal two-wheelers cannot cross at night.
Only residents can travel, if they park in a car park, as well as electric two-wheelers.
Much less noisy and polluting, electric scooters are increasingly popular in large cities.
In Paris, however, scooter sales fell in 2023 with the entry into force of paid parking.
The compulsory technical inspection of motorized two-wheelers, which gradually becomes compulsory from 2024 for motorcycles and scooters, also aims to limit noise pollution by controlling exhaust pipes.