The Transport Minister has published a bill which would legalise the use of e-scooters on Irish roads.
Among the other measures covered by the proposed legislation, include variable speed limits on the M50.
The law around dangerous and anti-social off road use of scramblers and quads will be strengthened.
Minister Eamon Ryan says he hopes to introduce the legislation in the Dáil in the next few weeks.
I am very pleased today to be able to publish this Bill. We committed in the Programme for Government to resolving legal barriers to the use of e-scooters, as well as e-bikes, and this Bill will deliver on both of those commitments. https://t.co/t0ccp2bf6g
— Eamon Ryan (@EamonRyan) October 19, 2021
The Bill includes:
- E-scooters – a new class of powered personal transporters (PPTs), including e-scooters, will be created, and the Minister will be able to provide for the use of these vehicles in public places under existing regulatory powers.
- Laws to deal with dangerous and antisocial off-road use of scramblers, quads and other similar vehicles will be strengthened.
- Legislation to support the newly installed dynamic traffic management on the M50.
- Legislation to support more rapid implementation of BusConnects.
- Amendments to the records of vehicles and drivers, which will strengthen law enforcement by directly linking licensed drivers to registered vehicles.
- Amendments to complete the statutory basis of a shared database of insured drivers (the Motor Third Party Liability or MTPL database) to combat uninsured driving.
Minister Ryan says: "We committed in the Programme for Government to resolving legal barriers to the use of e-scooters, as well as e-bikes, and this Bill will deliver on both of those commitments. These proposals in the Bill should be seen as part of our wider efforts to encourage alternative forms of mobility, reduce our culture of reliance on the private car and open opportunities for active and healthy travel. The BusConnects proposals in the Bill will contribute to the same goal by underpinning our investment in a much-improved public transport network. This is a substantial Bill, which will address a number of other important matters. I believe it will represent a major improvement to our traffic and roads laws, with real benefits for the travelling public."
VOI Technology, the Swedish urban-mobility company says the move, and the resulting passage of the legislation, has the potential to revolutionise how people get around Irish towns and cities, reducing congestion and helping tackle emissions.
Richard Corbett, Vice President, Market Development with Voi says: "Ireland is one of the few European countries yet to develop micro-mobility options like e-scooters and e-bikes. As market leaders, we know the huge benefits their development can bring- fewer car journeys, less congestion, cleaner air and better functioning towns and cities.
"Our number one priority is safety, and we look forward to working with local authorities throughout Ireland as they roll out their shared e-scooters across Ireland in the coming months once the legislation has been approved by the Oireachtas."
