Ireland legalises e-scooters for road use

New regulations allowing the use of private e-scooters in Ireland have come into effect, with speed limits capped at 20 kmph for users on all public roads.

Local councils will also have the ability to implement shared e-scooter schemes, which the country’s Department of Transport say “align with government policy” on climate action and sustainable transport.

“We’ve seen more and more e-scooters and e-bikes on our roads,” said Ireland’s Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan. “Since they first appeared, many have developed and have become more powerful, and these regulations set out clearly how they can all be used in our evolving transport landscape, safely and with respect for other road users, in particular those most vulnerable on our roads like pedestrians and cyclists.”

Despite previously being illegal on roads, private e-scooter use is widespread in towns and cities across Ireland, with police largely tolerating their use.

The country’s Road Safety Authority has said e-scooter users will have the same rights and obligations as cyclists, and all scooters must be fitted with front and rear lights and two independent braking systems – to ensure that if one fails, the scooter is still safe on the road.

It will also be illegal for more than one person to travel on a single scooter.

Shared schemes

E-scooter sharing schemes will still require bylaw amendments from local authorities however.

Dublin City Council’s Head of Road Safety & Micromobility Jennifer McGrath told Cities Today the council was “assessing its options at the moment”.

Fingal County Council, which covers a large swath of north Dublin, said the introduction of shared e-scooters “will be considered” over the coming months, but added any future scheme “will require bylaws”.

Limerick City Council said it has “considered” the introduction of a scheme, while Galway City Council said it would need to “review” the new regulations to establish if local bylaws would need to amended.

‘Disappointing’

Along with the speed limit and a ban on under-16s from using the devices, the new legislation has also capped the weight of e-scooters at 25kg, something which has caused concern among e-scooter providers.

“It is disappointing that the new regulations do not allow for the launch of the latest model of Lime’s shared e-scooter, and many others within the industry,” Hal Stevenson, Director of Policy for UK and Ireland at Lime told Cities Today. “This is because of the 25kg weight limit, which Lime’s vehicles exceed for reasons that prioritise safety.

“The weight restriction will reduce the benefits of legalising scooters in Ireland, including being able to benefit from the full positive impacts of shared e-scooter services.”

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