World News for Students of English

07-04-2023 07:00

In 2018, people in Paris, France, start using e-scooters. Paris is one of the first cities which has e-scooters.

Three companies operate e-scooters in Paris. E-scooters have a battery for power. They can go at 27 kilometers per hour. Users can hire them through a phone app. But the number of accidents which involve e-scooters is growing. Some riders do not wear a helmet. They ride among cars. They leave the scooters in parks or on roads.

A referendum takes place last week. 90% of people vote against e-scooters. They say that e-scooters are dangerous. But the result has no legal power. Only 8% of all voters come and vote. Officials can decide themselves what to do.

Difficult words: operate (to make something work or be in action), hire (to pay money to be able to use something), referendum (a vote in which all the people in a country or area give their opinion on something).

You can watch the original video in the Level 3 section.