Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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208. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to encourage An Garda Síochána to tackle the dangers of users of e-scooters, motorised bicycles and bicycles not wearing high-vis clothing, having no visible back or front lights, and complying with rules of the road, and generally not being aware of their own safety or other road users while driving/cycling (details supplied). [14261/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Protecting the safety of all road users is a priority for my Department and my officials have regular engagement with An Garda Síochána to support the enforcement of road traffic law. My officials hold regular meetings with An Garda Síochána to discuss legislative matters and general road safety.

Additionally, my department chairs two interdepartmental working groups focused on the integration of electric scooters into our traffic system and new rules for e-bikes and e-mopeds, both of which are attended by senior management of An Garda Síochána. These working groups meet every fortnight, to facilitate the introduction of relevant legislation in Q2. This includes discussion of planned efforts by An Garda Síochána to ensure the safety of cyclists and e-scooter and e-bike users, as well as pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

The Deputy will know that the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 defines a new category of vehicle in the Road Traffic Act, 1961, powered personal transporters or PPTs, which will include e-scooters, and provides powers to regulate their use in public places. E-scooters will only become legal to use on public roads when regulations are passed in Q2. Until the regulations for their safe use and technical standards are in place, the use of e-scooters in public places remains illegal.

Amongst other rules, e-scooters will not be allowed to use motorways, footpaths or pedestrianised areas, to carry passengers or goods or to be fitted with a seat, as this can make the vehicle less stable. A maximum speed limit of 20 km/h will apply, unless a lower speed limit has been set for a specific road or part of a road. E-scooters will require front and rear position lights, visible to a distance of 50 m, and reflectors. The regulations will also require that lighting is maintained in good condition and its use will be mandatory during lighting-up hours. They will also be required under law to have front and rear brakes and a bell or horn to alert other traffic and pedestrians to their presence. E-scooters users must be over 16 and will be prohibited to use their vehicle while intoxicated. The Act gives An Garda Síochána the powers to enforce these new rules. A range of penalties will apply for misuse of e-scooters, including fixed charge offence penalties of €50.00.

As for bicycles, the use of helmets and personal protective equipment (PPE) will not be mandatory for e-scooters or e-bikes, although strongly recommended by my Department and the Road Safety Authority. This is to ensure that mandatory use does not present a barrier to uptake of active travel and less-polluting transport modes.

The Deputy should note that PPE and suitable helmets will be mandatory for e-mopeds, as these will be classed as L-Category vehicles like mopeds and motorcycles, and all the requirements and penalties for those vehicles will apply.