Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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169. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are plans to introduce legislation to make it mandatory for the users of e-scooters to wear helmets and protective gear while operating the vehicles on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54335/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 reclassified e-scooters as powered personal transporters or PPTs. As they will no longer be classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, they will be treated in law similarly to bicycles and the legislative framework which governs the use of bicycles will be extended to e-scooters.

As is the case for bicycles, the wearing of helmets and protective gear while operating e-scooters on public roads will not be made mandatory, although lighting will be required in the same way. Instead, the use of such safety equipment will be strongly encouraged by both the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Authority, the agency responsible for public road safety education and awareness.

Guidelines and education and training programmes will be developed to promote and encourage the safe use of e-scooters.