Recent protests across France have taken a significant toll on the city’s shared mobility infrastructure, with hundreds of electric bikes and scooters being destroyed in the chaos. In Paris, operators like Dott reported that over 400 of their units were either burned or severely damaged during the weekend violence. Similar scenes of destruction played out in Bordeaux and Lyon, leading to total industry losses estimated at approximately €400,000. Other major providers, including Lime and the Vélib' Métropole operator Smovengo, also confirmed that significant portions of their fleets were either vandalized or stolen as the demonstrations spiraled into widespread looting.

While the companies stated that they were not intentionally targeted, the sheer availability of these vehicles on city streets made them easy targets for rioters looking to construct barricades or fuel fires. The situation was particularly dangerous due to the lithium-ion batteries found in the e-bikes, which are prone to intense, rapid combustion and toxic smoke when damaged. Despite proactive efforts by some operators to clear high-risk areas and work alongside local law enforcement, the scale of the unrest proved difficult to manage, resulting in a substantial and costly blow to France's urban transport networks.