E-scooter regulations will see age limit of 16 placed on usage
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New regulations governing the use of e-scooters are to come into effect later this month.
It is understood that the regulations, initially proposed as part of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, will commence on May 20 following months of delay.
It passed through the Oireachtas last June. However, the sections governing e-scooters did not begin.
As part of the plan, e-scooters will now be classified as personal powered transporters, with individual regulations to be completed in the coming weeks. E-scooters remain illegal on the roads until the regulations are signed.
The new rules are set to include restrictions for e-scooters, with a ban on their use by anyone aged under 16.
There had previously been concerns from Transport Minister Eamon Ryan that restricting the use of e-scooters based on age would be “unenforceable”.
Last June, Mr Ryan said that this was due to the lack of a national identification card system — meaning individual’s ages would not be determined.
However, the Department of Transport confirmed that, following a series of representations from Justice Minister Helen McEntee, gardaí, and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) over safety concerns, the age limit of 16 for e-scooter users is being introduced.
Roads Minister Jack Chambers previously said that, once the regulations come into effect, the Government will keep them under review.
“They’re obviously a part of overall sustainable mobility, which are being used in cities and towns globally, but they're also a serious road safety risk to the people who are using e-scooters, vulnerable road users like cyclists, and pedestrians,” he said.
“We have to continually monitor and review the regulations we’re assigning and change them if required, because there’s a concern that we’ll see an escalating number of deaths and injuries from e-scooters as more people use them.”
Late last year, the Advertising Standards Authority found that retailer Harvey Norman had breached advertising standards after it promoted e-scooters as “perfect for commuters”.
The body found that, while the Government was expected to introduce changes to permit e-scooters, any advertising claims should not be made until legislation is fully introduced.