Mr. Michael Rowland:

We have been contributing and we have made submissions to the Department on e-scooters. In particular, we have made recommendations on the permitting of devices for the rental schemes to ensure there is not an over-proliferation of e-scooters on footpaths or where there are other vulnerable road users, but that the scheme is well regulated. We have also made recommendations on the guidance in terms of speed limits and where these devices should be used.

That relates in particular to the protection of other road users but also given the known speed tolerance for deaths and serious injuries of vulnerable road users in collisions with motor vehicles. We have recommended that these scooters should operate within speed limits in no more than 50 km/h zones, but ideally, their use should be curtailed to 30 km/h zones, where possible. Consideration needs to be given to the proliferation of these scooters where there are interactions with heavy goods vehicles. Importantly, we have also highlighted the need for these devices not to be used on footpaths where there are vulnerable road users or pedestrians. We have also made recommendations on the age limits of who can, and should, use these vehicles. In line with that, we have recommended that the age limit should be 16 or older. We have suggested that maximum speed limits of 20 km/h should be considered for these devices. We have also made recommendations to the Minister and the Department on the use of personal protection equipment, PPE, and in particular, the use of helmets, considering the differing characteristics that these devices have when compared with the traditional bicycle in respect of the stability of the vehicle and while encountering uneven road surfaces. The mandatory use of helmets, when using these vehicles, should be considered.

The RSA has an important role to play in the training, education and awareness campaigns. We have welcomed the recommendations of the Minister in respect of us embarking on a major campaign to make other road users and potential users of these vehicles aware of their requirements under the rules of the road. We have also made suggestions on the vehicle standards themselves, because that is critical to maintaining safety standards. We are also working with the European Union on type approval, which we believe will need to be rolled out-----