Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

This is another very significant aspect of the legislation. A large number of people are currently using these scooters in a way that is not regulated. Several countries have introduced regulation in this area, which means we are able to look at best practice. There is an interesting paper, to which I refer members before we get to Committee Stage, in which the Road Safety Authority looks at the experience in other jurisdictions. It provides a very useful background to the regulations we intend to introduce. In effect, we are looking at regulations that are similar in many regards to those relating to bicycles. It is about issues like the appropriate place on the road to use e-scooters and advice regarding helmet use. Helmets are not mandatory for e-scooter users because they are not licensed vehicles. In that sense, they are more akin to a bicycle than a motor car.

There is a need for regulations on speed and we can look to international examples in this regard. Typically, 25 km or so is the speed limit set for on-road use. The power output of the vehicles can be set as part of the regulations. Occasionally, scooters may be used on the pavement for particular local reasons. In those circumstances, the scooter is more akin to a pedestrian vehicle and speeds must be brought down to pedestrian levels. There are good examples of international best practice on regulation. Another aspect to consider is that in cities where an unregulated scooter hire system has been introduced, the vehicles have, in effect, ended up littering the streets. E-scooters certainly have key benefits but their unfettered use under unregulated hiring arrangements creates problems. That has to be part of the regulation. The most important part of the legislation, however, is the introduction of basic regulations on speed, place on the road and so on. Passing this Bill will allow us to put those regulations in place.