Vol. 502 No. 3
442 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that battery assisted pedal cycles are coming on the market; and his views on whether these bicycles are motorised transport. [8490/99]
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 237 and 250 of 1 December 1998. In the meantime, my Department has learned of a number of further proposals to introduce such vehicles to the Irish market.
In principle, an electrically assisted tricycle is a mechanically propelled vehicle for the purposes of the Road Traffic Acts. As such, any person driving such a vehicle in a public place should hold a driving licence, and the vehicle may be liable for vehicle registration tax and motor tax. It would be appropriate for those marketing this vehicle to contact the Revenue Commissioners and the relevant local licensing authority in order to assess these possible requirements in more detail.
