E-scooter users warned as strict new rules and €100 fines come into effect from today
The measures form part of a wider package of changes
New rules governing the use of e-scooters on Irish roads have come into effect from today, Friday, September 4, as the Government moves to crack down on unsafe use of the increasingly popular vehicles.
Under the new regulations, anyone using an e-scooter is now legally required to wear a helmet and high-visibility clothing while riding.
Those who fail to comply with the new safety requirements can face a fixed charge notice of €100.
The measures form part of a wider package of changes announced by the Government following growing concern over serious injuries and fatalities involving e-scooters, particularly among children and teenagers.
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety Seán Canney signed the regulations earlier this week.
Minister O'Brien said the growing popularity of e-scooters had created new transport opportunities but had also been accompanied by a concerning rise in collisions and serious injuries involving riders, pedestrians and other road users.
What are the rules from today?
From Friday, September 4, e-scooter users must wear both a helmet and high-visibility clothing when using the vehicles.
These requirements are in addition to rules which were already in place for e-scooter users in Ireland.
Riders must currently be at least 16 years old, while e-scooters used on public roads must meet a number of technical requirements.
E-scooter users must travel on the left and obey the rules of the road. They can use cycle lanes, bus lanes and local, regional and national roads where permitted. However, they cannot ride on footpaths or in pedestrianised areas.
Only one person is permitted on an e-scooter at a time, meaning carrying a passenger is prohibited.
E-scooters must also be fitted with functioning front and rear lights, reflectors, brakes and a bell or other audible warning device.
They cannot have a seat and cannot be used to carry goods and e-scooters which fall within the legal category are limited to a maximum design speed of 20km/h.
Minimum age set to rise
One of the biggest changes proposed by the Government is an increase in the minimum age for e-scooter users from 16 to 18.
The measure has been delayed due to the requirement to notify the European Commission under the EU's Technical Regulation Information System.
Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien confirmed on Thursday that the European Commission had agreed to waive the normal waiting period following a request for urgent adoption.
The Government will now proceed with drafting the regulations, with the new minimum age expected to come into effect in late September or early October. Until then, the existing minimum age of 16 remains in place.
Further fines and seizure costs on the way
Additional changes are also due to come into effect over the coming weeks. From October 2, the cost of having a seized e-scooter detained and stored will double.
The detention fee, including the first day of storage, will rise to €80, while riders will face a further charge of €30 for each additional day the vehicle remains in storage. Fixed charge notices for e-scooter offences are also being increased to €100.
Meanwhile, proposals which could eventually require e-scooters to be registered and their users to hold insurance or a driving licence remain under consideration.
The Government has also not ruled out further restrictions on e-scooters, with a forthcoming Department of Health report into their public health implications expected to play a role in deciding what measures are introduced next.
The latest crackdown follows serious concern from medical professionals over the number of children suffering significant injuries in e-scooter incidents.
Earlier this summer, doctors at Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street called for an outright ban after six children reportedly required life support over a two-week period as a result of injuries sustained in e-scooter incidents.
The Government subsequently approved a package of measures aimed at tightening the rules and improving safety for riders and other road users.