Teenagers under the age of 16 are banned from using e-scooters from today.
New regulations governing the use of the devices mean a host of new obligations for manufacturers and customers.
From now on, e-scooters cannot be ridden on the pavement and a maximum speed limit of 20 kph has been set.
“20 kph on an e-scooter - which is less stable than a bicycle - is actually quite fast,” Road Safety Authority CEO Sam Waide told Newstalk Breakfast.
“The speed and power of those will be regulated.
"There’s clear rules for everyone and I would encourage… people - if they already have e-scooters - to check the power of those e-scooters to see if they meet the rules and the regulations.”
A child on an e-scooter. Image: Prostock-studio / Alamy Stock PhotoAny e-scooter that can travel faster than 20 kph or weighs more than 25 kg is now illegal and cannot be used.
“I would ask parents and adults who are purchasing e-scooters to make sure that they do meet those rules and regulations,” Mr Waide said.
Row of electric scooters for hire. Image: Pat Tuson / Alamy Stock PhotoThe RSA also advised the Government to mandate make sure e-scooters are more visible to other road users.
“The rules state that there needs to be reflectors on e-scooters,” Mr Waide said.
“[This] has been legislated for in other EU member states, so there’s a fairly clear path for e-scooters in technical standards… We advise that everyone, whether it’s an e-scooter user or a cyclist, that you wear visible clothing.
“We also advise e-scooter users to wear a helmet.”
According to Statista, the market for e-scooters in Ireland is expected to grow by 12% annually.
Encouraging low carbon transport methods has been described by Eamon Ryan as a “key priority” of the Government’s.
You can listen back here:
