Written answers

Tuesday, 24 June 2025

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Road Safety

Photo of Paul McAuliffePaul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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167. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the effectiveness of the review and implementation of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, focusing on scrambler bikes and e-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34108/25]

Photo of Seán CanneySeán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 was enacted in June 2023. It is a large piece of legislation which covers multiple topics including scrambler bikes and e-scooters.

Among its many provisions, the Act aims to tackle dangerous driving and the antisocial use of scramblers and quadbikes via three key measures:

  • Under Section 5(k), dangerous driving has become an offence everywhere, not only in public places;
  • Under Section 5(p), An Garda Síochána were granted new powers of seizure;
  • Under Section 11(b), there is a new power to provide in regulations for the prohibition or restriction of the uses of classes of vehicles in particular places.
A commencement order was signed into law (S.I. No. 392/2023) giving effect to Sections 5(k), 5(p) and 11(b), empowering An Garda Síochána to seize a vehicle (including scramblers, quadbikes and motorbikes) being driven dangerously in any location. My Department is in consultation with stakeholders in the context of preparing regulations under Section 11(b). It is important that these regulations have the desired effect, and that the correct vehicles, areas and territories are targeted.

The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 also legalised the use of e-scooters and a comprehensive suite of regulations has been introduced to govern the safe use of e-scooters in public places:
  • The Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 199 of 2024) provides for technical standards and conditions for safe use, including a minimum age of 16 and a speed limit of 20 km/h.
  • The Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 200 of 2024) provides that signs for bicycle use will also apply to e-scooters.
  • The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 222 of 2024) provides for traffic rules, including forbidding use on motorways, footpaths and pedestrianised areas.
  • The Road Traffic (Use of Powered Personal Transporters) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 224 of 2024) provides that other types of powered personal transporters (PPTs), and e-scooters which do not comply with the regulations, will remain illegal to use in public places.
  • The Road Traffic Act 1994 (Detention of Powered Personal Transporters) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 223 of 2024) gives An Garda Síochána powers to seize and detain non-compliant e-scooters or other types of PPTs.
  • The Road Traffic Act 2010 (Part 3) (Fixed Charge Offences) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 227 of 2024), provides for fixed charge penalties of €50.00 for certain e-scooter offences.
Two Commencement Orders have also been issued in relation to e-scooters concerning the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 and the Road Traffic Act 2024:
  • S.I. 197 of 2024 commences Part 12 of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 which regulates PPTs and pedal cycles.
  • S.I. 198 of 2024 commences Part 1 and sections 16-19 and 22 of the Road Traffic Act 2024.
E-scooters are to be used in the same way as bicycles in public places and the same rules of the road apply.

Photo of Barry WardBarry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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168. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to high powered electric bicycles using bike lanes and causing danger to cyclists and pedestrians; if this is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33417/25]

Photo of Seán CanneySeán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise the Deputy on the provisions of the Regulations in place for both e-bikes and e-mopeds.

An e-bike is a pedal-assisted electric bicycle with a maximum continuous rated power of 250 watts, and a maximum speed of 25 kilometres per hour. E-bikes are treated in the same way as bicycles and are therefore permitted to use cycle lanes.

E-mopeds include more powerful pedal-assisted e-bikes and those which can operate on the motor alone (throttle-assisted) and are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles.

There are two types of e-moped.

  • L1e-A: pedal-assisted, with a maximum speed of 25 kph and maximum power of up to 1,000 Watts.
  • L1e-B: pedal or throttle-assisted, with a maximum speed of 45 kph and maximum power of up to 4,000 Watts.
Given the greater power and speed of L1e-B e-mopeds, they are not permitted to use cycle tracks. Only L1e-A e-mopeds may do so.

Enforcement of the use of cycle lanes, along with other road safety enforcement matters, falls under the remit of An Garda Síochána and I suggest the Deputy contact them directly.

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