Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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209. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps that are being taken to ensure that insurance companies will offer the required cover to meet the provisions outlined in the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14915/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government is committed to legislating for electric bicycles. E-bikes are currently legal to use in Ireland. However, the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, which is currently before the Oireachtas, includes provisions to clarify the legal position of low-powered and higher-powered e-bikes.

E-bikes with power of less than 250W, which cannot be propelled by the electric motor alone and which do not exceed 25 km/k, will continue to be treated as bicycles under road traffic legislation. As with bicycles, they will not require motor insurance.

Giving effect to European law, models which have engines above 250W, or which can be solely powered by the electric motor, and are capable of speeds above 25 km/h will be classed as mechanically propelled vehicles. Users will be required to hold an AM licence and to register, tax and insure their vehicle and helmets will be mandatory. They will be treated as mopeds for insurance purposes and it will be up to the user to ensure the correct cover is in place.

Relevant provisions in the Bill will be commenced once the administrative arrangements for registration, licensing and taxation are in place. My Department has already notified Insurance Ireland of the forthcoming legislative changes. However, the provision of insurance cover is a matter for the individual providers, and I have no oversight powers in this regard.