Under 18s to be banned from using e-scooters from next month under new regulations
.png?trim=0,0,0,0&crop=&width=640&quality=70&enable=upscale)
The new rules were signed off by Cabinet on Wednesday
Children under the age of 18 will be banned from using e-scooters from next month after the Government today approved a package of new safety regulations aimed at reducing serious injuries and improving enforcement.
The new rules, signed off by Cabinet on Wednesday, are expected to come into effect by the end of August.
As well as raising the minimum age for riders from 16 to 18, the regulations will make helmets and high-visibility clothing mandatory for anyone using an e-scooter on public roads.
The Government said the measures are being introduced in response to growing concerns over the number of serious injuries involving e-scooters, particularly among children and teenagers.
The latest changes form part of a wider overhaul of Ireland's e-scooter laws.
Ministers have also confirmed that legislation will be brought forward later this year to require riders to register and licence their e-scooters after the vehicles are reclassified as mechanically propelled vehicles.
The sale of e-scooters to under-18s, as well as the sale of non-compliant models that do not meet legal road standards, will also be prohibited.
Announcing the measures, ministers said the aim is to improve road safety while allowing e-scooters to continue to be used as a form of transport.
However, they warned that further restrictions, including the possibility of an outright ban, could be considered if safety does not improve.
The Government has faced increasing pressure to tighten the rules following a rise in serious collisions involving e-scooters. Children's Health Ireland has reported a significant increase in injuries linked to their use, with many involving young riders suffering head injuries.