Explained: What are the new e-scooter laws being considered?

Kenneth Fox

While new laws were introduced on May 20th, 2024, making e-scooters legal on Irish roads, the Government is considering further legislation as injuries have started to increase.

Three people also died in e-scooter accidents last year, prompting them to consider making helmets compulsory, having tougher enforcement on speed limits, and curbing underage use.

What laws already exist for e-scooters, and what is the timeline for when tougher legislation could be implemented? Here is everything you need to know.

What laws currently exist around e-scooters?

As of May 20th, 2024, users must:

• Be 16 years or older;
• Obey a speed limit of 20km/h;
• Drive on the left. E-scooters are allowed in cycle or bus lanes and on local, regional or national roads;
• Have lights, a bell or audible warning device, reflectors, and brakes on their e-scooter, and it must be kept in a roadworthy condition at all times;
• Obey signals given by gardaí or a school warden and follow the same rules of the road that apply to cyclists, including traffic lights, road signs, and all types of pedestrian crossings.

E-scooter users are prohibited from: 

• Use footpaths, pedestrianised areas or motorways;
• Hold or use a mobile phone;
• Have a seat on their e-scooter;
• Carry passengers or goods.

What data is there on e-scooter injuries?

With the rise of e-scooter usage, data on injuries has become more widely available, showing a trend that the majority of those injured are male and aged between 20 and 39 years old.

A study aimed to quantify the impact of e-scooter-related injuries on healthcare resources at the Mater University Hospital in Dublin over two years, from May 1st, 2021, to June 30th, 2023.

Published in the Irish Medical Journal, the study highlighted the injuries of 380 patients, of which 259 were male and predominantly aged 20-39 years, and 351 were riders.

A significant proportion of 143 patients were triaged as “very urgent”. 53 or almost 14 per cent required admission, 43 or 11 per cent underwent surgery.

E-scooter injuries more frequently involve the head and upper limbs, and this is consistent with previous studies, the authors highlighted.

The injury patterns lead to higher rates of injuries requiring admission and surgery compared with those seen in bicycle-related trauma.

“E-scooter-related injuries represent a significant and growing burden on trauma and emergency care systems. Our findings align with international trends demonstrating high rates of features, surgical intervention and extended hospital stays," the author of the study said.

What legislation is being considered?

The Government is examining tougher enforcement on speed limits and underage use, after a rise in serious injuries, reports on Monday have said.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister of State for Road Safety Seán Canney have said they are determined to strengthen regulations and improve enforcement of the rules around speed and underage use of e-scooters.

They are due to meet Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien early this year to discuss ways of strengthening the regulations.

It is understood that compulsory helmets and high-visibility jackets will be their focus.

It is understood that the Government will stop short of requiring e-scooters to be registered or for users to be licensed.

Some of the more powerful e-scooters on sale in shops and online in the Republic are advertised as having top speeds of 60km/h or more.

“Selling a machine that can go at a speed in excess of what is allowable is a huge anomaly,” said Mr Canney. “If the scooter can go up to 40km/h even though the regulation says 20km/h, people will go at 35km/h or even 40km/h,” he said.