A controversial study that linked genetically modified corn to cancer in lab rats is a "scientific non-event," six French scientific academies said in a joint statement on Friday.
"This work does not enable any reliable conclusion to be drawn," they said, adding that the affair helped "spread fear among the public."
The statement, signed by the national academies of agriculture, medicine, pharmacy, science, technology and veterinary studies, was sparked by research published in September that said rats fed with GM corn or doses of Roundup herbicide developed tumours.
Electric scooters and e-bicycles are an increasingly common sight on the streets of French towns and cities, but many users are unaware of the rules surrounding third-party insurance. Here is what you need to know.
More and more people are using electric scooters (trottinettes électriques) and electric bicycles (e-bikes) to get around in France.
In 2023, 760,000 new electric scooters were sold and some 2.5 million people were using electric scooters regularly according to a report by the environment agency Ademe.
However, more than a quarter (27 percent) admitted to having no third-party insurance, and another five percent said they didn’t know whether they had any such insurance, BFM/RMC Conso reported earlier this month.
Such ignorance could prove costly in the event of an accident, as civil liability insurance has been required by law since 2019.
Some 40 percent of accidents involving electric scooters also involve a third party, and the number of collisions involving uninsured users is also on the rise.
The Fonds de Garantie des Victimes (FGV), which compensates victims of accidents caused by uninsured vehicles, has noted an increase in cases involving personal electric vehicles, including scooters and electric bikes.
Since 2018, it has received 2,315 claims from victims of accidents caused by these machines, 45 percent of which involved personal injury.
What does the law say?
Since 2019, legislation has required users of ‘motorised personal mobility devices’ (ie electric scooters, hoverboards, and gyrowheels) to take out third-party insurance.
You can take this out a general insurance agent (Agent général d’assurances), broker (Courtier), bank (banque), or insurance company (Compagnie d’assurances).
Failure to comply with this obligation can result in a fine of €500 for a first offence.
Repeat offenders face much stiffer penalties of up to €7,500, and could have their scooter confiscated.
E-scooter users may also be prosecuted if a third-party suffers an injury.
Despite the risks, only 32 percent of electric scooter owners have third-party insurance, according to Ademe.
Yet insurance options are plentiful and affordable, with monthly contributions of less than €10 per month for third-party insurance. Comprehensive insurance is also available for those who want more comprehensive protection, covering theft, damage or accidents.
The advice for electric scooter owners – make sure you’re insured.
What about electric bicycles and regular bicycles?
Cyclists with regular bicycles are not required to have a third-party insurance, and most e-bicycle owners should not need to purchase it either.
This is because French law already requires that electric bicycles have a maximum speed of 25 km/h, with a motor power of less than or equal to 250 Watts.
READ ALSO What are the rules for electric bikes in France?
As such, any law-abiding electric bicycle should already be exempt from the insurance obligation, as this only goes into effect once the machine exceeds 250 watts power and/or the assistance it offers does not exceed 25 km/h.
The Court of Justice of the European Union also ruled on this subject last year, finding that electrically assisted bicycles are generally not subject to the insurance requirement for motor vehicles because it is not powered exclusively by mechanical force.
Compared to electrically assisted bicycles, which also require the use of muscular force to move forward, vehicles driven solely by mechanical force (which includes electric scooters) can cause greater injury or material damage because they, “can travel significantly faster,” the CJEU stressed.
Nevertheless, the case of an accident, cyclists can turn to their multi-risk home insurance contract for civil liability. Otherwise, independent civil liability insurance is more recommended.
READ MORE: The 18 cycling offences in France that could see you fined
What about rental, free-float e-scooters or e-bikes?
According to the French government website Service-Public, the same rule applies for ‘free-float’ (libre service) electric scooters – you must have liability insurance.
That said, several French cities have suspended the use of free-float scooters, including Paris and Toulouse. Nice has also imposed rules on where the scooters can be used.
READ MORE: The rise and fall of Paris’ electric scooter fleet
As for electric bicycles, those permitted on French roads and available for rent should comply with existing speed and motor regulations, meaning you should not need to take out a third-party insurance before using one.
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