Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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213. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of and a breakdown of the categories of reports filed with the Road Safety Authority in respect of e-bike and e-scooters in 2022 and to date 2023; if the RSA is developing an updated advice on the use of e-bikes and e-scooters; if he will provide an update on his work in respect of the insurability of these modes of transport that are not capable of breaching the 25KPH threshold. [32790/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, there is no change to the legal status of pedal assist e-bikes with a power output up to 250W, where the motor cuts out at 25 km/h and it does not operate without pedalling. These will continue to be classed as pedal cycles (bicycles and tricycles). As with pedal cycles, e-bike owners are not required to hold motor insurance for their vehicle and they will not need to register or tax their e-bikes or hold a driver’s licence. Those who own, or are considering buying, an e-bike below these thresholds can continue to use them on public roads and in cycle and bus lanes.

The 2023 Act also creates a new vehicle category, powered personal transporters or PPTs, which includes e-scooters and future micro-mobility devices as needed. Unlike mechanically propelled vehicles such as cars, trucks and buses, PPTs will not require registration, tax, insurance or licensing.

My Department is preparing regulations for e-scooters, which will set out the rules for their safe use in public places and the technical requirements and safety standards they must meet for legal use on Irish roads. Until these regulations are in place, e-scooters will remain illegal to use in public places and on public roads and An Garda Síochána may seize them. There are no plans to regulate for any other type of PPT at this point.

The Road Safety Authority is preparing a safety focused communications campaign, aimed to coincidence with the signing of the regulations expected in early Quarter 4 of 2023.