Robert Troy
Ceist:46. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport to outline the new laws introduced governing the use of e-scooters. [23204/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 22 May 2024
Ceisteanna (46)
Freagraí scríofa
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 addressed the legal barriers to the use of e-scooters on Irish roads. The Act introduced a new class of vehicle, personal powered transporters (PPTs), which includes e-scooters, and allowed for regulations to be made to facilitate their legal use.
The relevant sections of the Act were commenced with these Regulations on Monday 20 May. E-scooters which comply with the regulations are now legal to use on Irish roads. The Regulations are:
• The Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024, which provide for technical standards and conditions for safe use, including a minimum age of 16 and a speed limit of 20 km/h
• The Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 2024, which provide that signs for bicycle use will also apply to e-scooters
• The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, which provide for traffic rules, including forbidding use on motorways, footpaths and pedestrianised areas,
• The Road Traffic (Use of Powered Personal Transporters) Regulations 2024, which provide that other types of PPT, and e-scooters which do not comply with the regulations, will remain illegal to use in public places,
• The Road Traffic Act 1994 (Detention of Powered Personal Transporters) Regulations 2024, which give An Garda Síochána powers to seize and detain non-compliant e-scooters or other types of PPT
• The Road Traffic Act 2010 (Part 3) (Fixed Charge Offences) Regulations 2024, which provide for fixed charge penalties of €50.00 for certain e-scooter offences.
E-scooters are to be used in the same way as bicycles in public places and the same rules of the road apply. Users must drive on the left and obey the rules of the road, particularly for traffic lights, traffic signs, pedestrian crossings, pelican crossings and zebra crossings. They are prohibited from using the footpaths or motorways but may use cycle and bus lanes. Carrying passengers or goods, fitting a seat and using a mobile phone or entertainment device are not permitted.
E-scooters must meet stringent safety standards, including limits to their maximum weight, power and design speed, adherence to EU requirements for construction standards and electrical and battery safety and fitment of front and rear lights and reflectors, brakes and a bell. They should also display a manufacturer’s plate certifying the power output, weight and design speed.
Further information about e-scooter requirements for users is available from the Road Safety Authority on their e-scooter campaign page: www.rsa.ie/road-safety/campaigns/e-scooters.
Further details, including details about e-bikes and e-mopeds, are available on the Gov.ie campaign page: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/5e95b-e-bikes-e-mopeds-and-e-scooters/.