E-scooters cause 'numerous complaints' in Laois

Many Laois people are annoyed about e-scooters being ridden on local footpaths, according to Sinn Féin's TD for Laois and Offaly.

Dep Brian Stanley raised local concerns in the Dáil on the back of complaints raised to him by voters. He said the need for regulation of these vehicles has been raised in the local Joint Police Committee meetings.

"Numerous members of the Public have complained to me about their use on footpaths. I have been urging the Government to enact legislation to regulate their use and improve safety for their use and that of pedestrians on footpaths etc," he said in a statement.

Dep Stanley said he received a reply from Minister Jack Chambers in the Dáil which stated that e-scooters are illegal to use in public.

"The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 creates a new vehicle category, called powered personal transporters (PPTs), which includes e-scooters. My Department had expected to commence the parts of the Act relating to PPTs, and to introduce regulations for e-scooters, following the EU TRIS process under the Single Market Transparency Directive (EU) 2015/1535. However, some technical and legal issues were identified during drafting, in part taking account of comments received from the EU Commission during the TRIS process, which have delayed their introduction. 

"Regulations for e-scooters are now expected to be in place in Q1 2024. E-scooters will not be legal to use in public places until that time. The Regulations will specify the technical requirements for e-scooters and conditions for their safe use. Among other requirements, e-scooters may not be used on footpaths or in pedestrianised areas. The use of helmets and personal protective equipment (PPE) will not be mandatory, although strongly recommended by my Department and the Road Safety Authority,’’ concluded the reply.

The TD said he had made representations to the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan about the regulation of E Scooters.