The Irish Government has approved plans to ban e-scooter use for anyone under the age of 18. All riders will also be required to wear high-visibility jackets and helmets.
These rules are set to come into force in August.
Further legislation planned for later this year will classify e-scooters as mechanically propelled vehicles. This will introduce mandatory licensing and registration requirements. It will also make it illegal to sell e-scooters to minors or to sell models that do not comply with standards for legal use on public roads.
The Government noted that a full ban on e-scooters remains an option if needed.
The decisions were made following a meeting at Government Buildings attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, Minister of State for Transport Seán Canney, and Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly.
The Garda Commissioner reported a sharp rise in police operations targeting e-scooters, with 1,412 vehicles seized and 793 prosecutions for possession so far this year.
The meeting also reviewed early data from Children’s Health Ireland and the HSE, which highlighted a worrying increase in severe and life-altering injuries resulting from e-scooter accidents.
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