WHAT IS THE LAW AROUND ELECTRIC SCOOTERS IN IRELAND
“We committed in the Programme for Government to resolving legal barriers to the use of e-scooters, as well as e-bikes, and this bill will deliver on both of those commitments.”
Eamon Ryan, Minister for Transport
Are e-scooters legal on Irish roads in 2022?
A lot of people are very pleased with how the government is positioning itself, and although the legislation was previously quite vague and many would say wasn’t really applicable, a greater degree of certainty will be welcomed by all.
Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021
To clear this up further, what we can share is that –
The Irish Government has approved a new Road Traffic Bill which, for the first time, legislates on the use of e-scooters and e-bikes on roads. Transport minister Eamon Ryan recently published the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, which creates a new class of powered personal transporters (PPTs), including electric scooters.
E-scooters are described in the Bill as “powered personal transporters”, and as with Electric bikes, their maximum design speed is prescribed to be “no less than six kilometres per hour and no more than 25 kilometres per hour.”
The bill still needs to be passed by the Oireachtas (National Parliament) but this is expected to be completed sometime in 2022.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE BILL:
E-scooters will be prohibited on motorways and busways but allowed on cycle routes, and it will be an offence to use mobile phones while riding.
It is expected that new regulations will apply to “both privately owned and rental e-scooters”, meaning that the use of privately owned e-scooters on roads will be permitted.
Importantly, E-scooter owners will not be subject to mandatory licenses, taxes or insurance under new legislation.
Ireland is one of the last countries in Europe to legislate on e-scooters, though their private use is widespread in cities across the country.
As shared by Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Transport the bill does not envisage scooters needing anything more by law than a bicycle.
However, there will be minimum standards that the vehicles must adhere to.
“As with bicycles, registration, licensing, taxation and insurance will not be mandatory, nor will the use of helmets and other personal protection equipment, PPE, although this will be strongly recommended for user safety and the safety of other road users,” she said.
Previously, it had been interpreted that electric scooters and electric bikes would have been covered by the legislation below, which showed a much more arduous standard.
Including that if they are used in public places, users must hold a licence and insurance.
“mechanically propelled vehicle” means, subject to subsection (2) of this section, a vehicle intended or adapted for propulsion by mechanical means, including—
(a) a bicycle or tricycle with an attachment for propelling it by mechanical power, whether or not the attachment is being used,
(b) a vehicle the means of propulsion of which is electrical or partly electrical and partly mechanical,
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can Garda take electric scooter?
This is likely to be a thing of the past since the publication of the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 and the clearer intention that it gives to how electric bikes and e-scooters are to be treated in the future.
Can you drive an electric scooter on the road in Ireland?
As indicated by Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Transport above the bill does not envisage scooters needing anything more by law than a bicycle.
Do I need insurance for an electric scooter?
Again, Hildegarde Naughton shares that insurance and road tax and so on are not expected to be required.
Do you need a licence for a scooter in Ireland?
No more so than you would to ride a bicycle. The short answer is No.
Will e-scooters become legal?
Yes, most certainly e-scoters will be legal to ride in Ireland in 2022.
Do electric scooters need A helmet?
the use of helmets and other personal protection equipment, PPE, will not be required, but will be recommended.
Can you ride an electric bike if banned from driving?
Yes, it is likely that you will be permitted to ride an electric bike if banned from driving, working on the assumption that riding an electric bike or scooter is to be treated no differently than riding a bicycle.
RESOURCES: