Kilkenny garda statement as new e-scooter legislation set to come into force

From Monday (May 20), regulations that set out new legal and safe technical parameters and usage of e-scooters and e-bikes will come into effect.

The regulations will layout the rules of the road for people choosing to use light electric vehicles which will be enforceable under Irish law.

A public information campaign outlining how these vehicles can be enjoyed and used safely on our roads will roll out from commencement day.

Gardaí and Road Safety Authority have been involved in the development of these regulations from the start and An Garda Síochána will be responsible for their enforcement.

In a statement issued today on social media, gardaí in Kilkenny highlighted some of the key facts around the legislation.

"More to follow on this, but a heads up," they said. "It has been announced that the comprehensive Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 is coming into force next Monday.

"Some points that will be confirmed: Under 16 will not be permitted to use an e-scooter in a public place, no more than one person will be permitted to be on an e-scooter at a time [and] for an e scooter to be used without tax, insurance and driving licence it will have a maximum speed of no more than 20 km/h.

"Last year there were more than 220 e-scooter crashes or collisions recorded by gardaí, with 54 resulting in serious or fatal injuries.

"E-scooters and e-bikes are an increasing feature in all cities, towns and villages in Ireland. The introduction of these new rules provides a legal basis for the range of vehicles available and the correct way of using them. This will help improve the safety for other road users as well as the vehicle users themselves."

The upcoming regulations set out clearly how different types of e-scooters and e-bikes can be used safely.

1. E-scooters with a maximum power output of 400 W or less, a maximum design speed of 20km/h and with a maximum weight of 25 kg – these are the regular e-scooters used by the majority of people - will be legal to use on public roads. Any e-scooter that goes over these parameters – more powerful and heavier e-scooters - will remain illegal. The new regulations stipulate that users of e-scooters must be 16 or over, because of safety concerns for young users and other road users. People over 16 will be able to use their e-scooters in cycle lanes and bus lanes but not footpaths or pedestrianised zones and are not allowed to carry other passengers or goods.

2. E-bikes with a maximum power output of 250 W or less, a motor that cuts off once pedalling stops and has a maximum speed of 25km/hr – e-bikes that the vast majority of people use - will be treated the same as bicycles and will be permitted to use cycle lanes and bus lanes but will not be permitted for use on footpaths.

3. E-mopeds are powered cycles with pedals that have an electrical power-assist greater than e-bikes and are often capable of speeds in excess of even fast cyclists. Because of this additional power, all e-mopeds will require vehicle registration through Revenue and to have annual motor tax (€35 per annum). Users must be 16 years and above. There are two categories of e-mopeds:

(a) Those that have a maximum design speed of 25km/hr and a maximum power output of up to 1000W, and have an electric motor that cuts off when pedalling stops (L1e-A e mopeds). These vehicles will be permitted for use in cycle lanes and bus lanes but not on footpaths and users are legally required to wear a motorcycle helmet.

(b) Those that have a maximum design speed of up to 45km/hr and a maximum power output of 4000W (L1e-B e-mopeds). L1e-B e-mopeds can have a motor that cuts off when pedalling stops (pedal-assist) or can be powered by its motor alone, called throttle e-mopeds. Both pedal-assist and throttle e-mopeds under the L1e-B category, will require a Category AM driver’s licence. Additionally, throttle e-mopeds will require insurance. Both L1e-B mopeds will not be permitted to use cycle lanes, bus lanes, footpaths or pedestrianised zones and users are legally required to wear a motorcycle helmet.

Commenting on the imminent commencement, Minister Ryan said:

“These regulations, which are just one part of the comprehensive Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, will help make our roads safer for all road users and give legal certainty to those who are choosing to get around on new forms of mobility.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen more and more e-scooter and e-bikes on our roads. Since they first appeared, many have developed and have become more powerful and these regulations set out clearly how they can all be used in our evolving transport landscape, safely and with respect for other road users, in particular those most vulnerable on our roads like pedestrians and cyclists. They will also help future-proof Ireland’s regulatory system to ensure that we can adapt to new technologies as they continue to emerge.

I hope these provisions will also give confidence to more people to choose new ways to travel that help them avoid congestion and gridlock. They will also contribute to freeing up road space, which in turn means that we can allocate more space to provide improved, faster and more frequent public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure for everyone.”

Minister Chambers said:

“I welcome the publication of the regulations for e-scooters and e-bikes which will bring clarity for road users, ensuring greater safety on our roads. More people are choosing these types of vehicles to get around cities, towns, and villages all over our country and it is essential we have a proper system of regulation and technical requirements for e-scooters.

The regulations have been developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders and will be kept under ongoing review as this type of transit continues to evolve. The Road Safety Authority will be rolling out an extensive public information and awareness campaign to inform the general public of the new regulations and, in particular, users of these vehicles of their requirements so they can be used in a safe and legal manner.”

The technical and usage parameters for e-scooters, e-bikes and e-mopeds are set out below:

1. E-scooters 

In June 2023, a new class of vehicles called Personal Powered Transporters (PPTs) were introduced under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023. E-scooters will now be classed as PPTs and must comply with technical and usage specifications in order to be legally used on public roads.

An e-scooter is a vehicle with a small standing platform and no seat, for use by one person only. An e-scooter may have two or more wheels and be propelled by an electric motor.

To be permitted for use on public roads, e-scooters must:

have a maximum continuous rated power output of 400 W or less,
have a maximum net weight of 25 kg (including batteries),
have a maximum design speed of 20 km/h or less,
have wheels with a minimum diameter of 200mm,
be fitted with front and rear lights and reflectors, brakes and a bell, and
be fitted with a manufacturer’s plate certifying the power output, weight and design speed.
Any e-scooter that does not comply with the above technical parameters will remain illegal for use on public roads.

E-scooters should be used in the same way as bicycles on public roads. Users must:

Drive on the left (including bicycle lanes and bus lanes). 
Be 16 or older.
Obey the rules of the road, particularly for traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, pelican crossings and zebra crossings.
Obey signals given by a Garda or school warden.
Obey all traffic lights, including bicycle traffic lights.
Obey all traffic signs in the same way that they apply to cyclists.
Not carry passengers or goods.
Not use the footpath.
Obey a speed limit of 20km/h.
Not use a Mobile phone.

2. E-bikes

Regulations around the type and use of e-bikes will be classified for the first time into Irish legislation and are based on regulations set out by the EU.

E-bikes are bicycles with electrical power-assist up to certain parameters as set out in EU type-approval legislation. E-bikes which are non-compliant with this legislation will be classed as e-mopeds (please see next section).

Cargo bikes which meet the below requirements will also be treated as e-bikes.

Compliant e-bikes will be treated as bicycles in terms of traffic legislation and use on public roads. They will be permitted to use cycle lanes and bus lanes, but will not be permitted to use footpaths.

E-bikes:

Have a maximum continuous rated power of less than or equal to 250W.
Output of the motor cuts off when the cyclist stops pedalling.
Output of the motor is progressively reduced and finally cut off before the vehicle speed reaches 25 km/h.

3. E-mopeds

E-mopeds, also known as speed pedelecs, s-pedelecs and throttle e-mopeds, are powered cycles with pedals, that have an electrical power-assist greater than e-bikes. Additionally, vehicles where the electric motor powers the vehicle without pedalling are also classed as e-mopeds.

E-mopeds will be classed as L1e mechanically propelled vehicles (MPVs) under Irish law and are subject to specific technical and usage requirements.

All E-mopeds will require:

Vehicle Registration with the Revenue Commissioners
Motor tax to be paid annually.
There are two distinct classifications under the L1e vehicle classification and there are some different requirements for each classification.

(a) L1e-A e-mopeds

Technical parameters

E-mopeds which fall under the L1e-A classification will:

Have a maximum continuous rated power up to 1000W.
Have a maximum design speed of up to 25km/h. 
Have an electric motor that cuts off when pedalling stops.
The output of the motor progressively reduces and finally cut off at a certain speed.
Usage parameters

L1e-A e-mopeds where the electric motor cuts off when pedalling stops (pedal assist) will not require insurance. 
Users of e-mopeds which are compliant under this vehicle category will not require a driving licence.
L1e-A e-mopeds will be permitted for use in cycle lanes and bus lanes, but not footpaths or pedestrianised areas. 
Users will be legally required to wear a motorcycle helmet and reflective high-vis and protective clothing is strongly recommended.
(b) L1e-B e-mopeds

Technical parameters 

E-mopeds which fall under the L1e-B classification will:

Have a maximum continuous rated power up to 4000W.
Have a maximum design speed of up to 45km/h. 
Output of the motor may cut off when pedalling stops (s-pedelec).
Output of the motor may progressively reduce and finally cut off at a certain speed.
An L1e-B e-moped that does not require pedalling and can be powered by its motor alone is called a Throttle e-moped.

Usage parameters

Throttle L1e-B e-mopeds, that do not require pedalling to move, will require insurance. 
Pedal Assist L1e-B e-mopeds will not require insurance.
L1e-B e-mopeds will require a Category AM licence for both pedal-assist and throttle e-mopeds.
L1e-B e-mopeds will not be permitted for use in cycle lanes, bus lanes, footpaths and pedestrianised areas.
Users will be legally required to wear a motorcycle helmet and reflective high-vis and protective clothing is strongly recommended.