Helmets mandatory for e-scooter users
New regulations to make helmets and high-visibility clothing mandatory for e-scooter users will come into effect on Friday (4 September).
The regulations, introduced by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State Seán Canney, follow Government approval of a series of road-safety measures for e-scooters in July.
The Department of Transport said that further measures that require legislative, administrative, and technical changes would follow “in the coming weeks”.
Legal advice
The Government intends to bring in regulations raising the minimum age for an e-scooter user from 16 to 18 years before the end of the year.
The department said that, after legal advice from the Attorney General’s office, this measure had been submitted to the European Commission as part of the EU TRIS (Technical Regulation Information System) process, which takes up to 12 weeks.
This system is aimed at preventing member states from introducing technical rules that would create new barriers within the EU’s single market.
Detention fees
From 2 October, fees for the detention and storage of seized e-scooters will be doubled, rising to €80 for detention and the first day of storage and €30 for each additional day or storage.
Regulations to increase fixed-charge notices to €100 for e-scooter offences will be brought forward “in the coming weeks”, while a fixed-charge notice for not wearing a helmet or high-visibility clothing while using an e-scooter will be introduced at same time at a new rate of €100.
The department added that proposals on registration, insurance, and driving-licence requirements for e-scooters remained under consideration.
It said that an upcoming Department of Health report on the public-health implications of e-scooters would be “an important factor” in Government decisions on next steps.