'Further discussion' needed to avoid 'overly stringent' e-scooter regulations, minister says
Darragh O'Brien: 'The main issue has been, unfortunately, young men in the main using e-scooters inappropriately, particularly in relation to breaking of speed limits.' Picture: Liam McBurney/PA
The Government should avoid introducing “overly stringent” regulations that would effectively act as a ban on e-scooters, the transport minister has said.
Darragh O’Brien said “further discussion” is needed on the classification of e-scooters as mechanically propelled vehicles. “There are many, many people here who use e-scooters in a very appropriate way and it’s a form of transport,” Mr O’Brien said.
“What I don’t want to do is to have a situation where we bring in overly stringent regulations that effectively bring in a de facto ban. That’s not something that I would support.”
He told RTÉ the registration of e-scooters is important. Junior minister Seán Canney has previously called for e-scooters to be classified as mechanically propelled vehicles, which could lead to requirements such as licences, tax and insurance being needed for their use.
On Wednesday, Mr Canney conceded it is unclear whether it would be possible to insure e-scooters.
New rules came into effect on Friday to make it mandatory for all people using e-scooters to wear a hi-vis vest and a helmet.
The seizure and retention fees for e-scooters have also doubled. Fixed charge notice penalties for all e-scooter offences will increase to €100, with release fees rising to €80 for the first day and €30 for each subsequent day. This will come into effect from October 1.
Fixed charge penalties of €100 for not wearing a helmet or hi-vis clothing have also been introduced.
Despite these changes, previous plans to raise the legal age at which someone can use an e-scooter from 16 to 18 have been delayed following advice from the Attorney General.
Mr O’Brien said the Government received approval from the European Commission to increase the age, adding laws will be drafted “in a very short space of time”.
The transport minister said the enforcement side would be “very important” but added there would be personal responsibility for individuals and their families.
“Anyone underage should not be using these e-scooters. Simple as,” Mr O’Brien said. “Some are, most people abide by the law. Those who don’t will feel the full force of the law.”
Asked about criticism that without requirements for registration it will be difficult to catch people, Mr O’Brien said he was not against the possibility.
“I think we need to know who owns the vehicles. I think further steps beyond that have to be looked at in detail because micro-mobility is part of our lives now,” Mr O’Brien said.
Mr O’Brien said that more people are using e-scooters and e-bikes and it is fine to use them appropriately.
“The main issue has been, unfortunately, young men in the main using e-scooters inappropriately, particularly in relation to breaking of speed limits.
“There’s a 20km/hr speed limit on these e-scooters. Some of these e-scooters have been adapted and that’s not appropriate. That’s why registration at point of sale will be important, so that you know that the e-scooter cannot go above 20km/hr an hour.”
Asked about enforcement, Mr O’Brien said there are always a small cohort of people who break the law, citing those who don’t wear seatbelts or who drink and drive.
“That’s unacceptable, that’s against the law and they’re prosecuted when caught. Are you going to catch every single incident? No, you’re not.”
- Tadgh McNally, political reporter
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