James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulatory status of electronic scooters; if a licence is required; if insurance is required; if other obligations apply to users of electronic scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43441/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, electric scooters are a type of powered personal transporter (PPT). PPTs are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, the use of which requires a valid licence, tax and appropriate insurance in accordance with Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. As PPTs do not fall under any existing vehicle category, it is not currently possible to tax and insure them and there is no separate licence category for them. Therefore they may not be used on public roads and in public places. However, their use is permitted on private land with the permission of the landowner.

I intend to bring forward the relevant provisions to amend primary legislation in relation to so-called e-sccoters and other Powered Personal Transport devices (PPTs) when the Oireachtas is considering the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill early next year, in accordance with the Programme for Government. My officials are currently working on drafting the necessary changes to primary legislation.

Until new legislation is in place, the use of electric scooters will remain illegal on public roads and in public places.

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulatory status of electronic bicycles; if a licence is required; if insurance is required; if other obligations apply to users of electronic bicycles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43442/20]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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There are two types of electric bicycles , both of which are already provided for in existing legislation. Where a bicycle has an electric motor attached which may be used as an alternate means of propulsion,the vehicle is defined as a mechanically propelled vehicle under the Road Traffic Acts, whether or not the motor is being used. Under the law, a licence and insurance are required for mechanically propelled vehicles.

Pedal assisted electric bikes with a maximum speed of 25kph are treated as regular bikes.

Pedal assisted electric bikes with a maximum speed of greater than 25kph are treated as low performance mopeds which require the appropriate licence, tax and insurance.