E-scooter rules should not be ‘burdensome’ if being used properly – minister
By Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press Association
A tougher set of regulations on the use of e-scooters in Ireland has been approved by Cabinet as ministers said there has been a spike in the seizure of the vehicles.
The Government is to extend a ban on the use of e-scooters from under-16s to under-18s, and make hi-vis jackets and helmets mandatory for anyone using them.
There will also be an increased fixed charge notice for all e-scooter offences to €100, and the fee for the release of detained e-scooters will be doubled from €125 to €250 for the first day’s storage.
Parents should not be buying these e-scooters for kids right now
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien received approval for the proposals at Cabinet on Wednesday, with the rules to take effect in August.
Mr O’Brien said that details of further restrictions were to be ironed out, and said it was firstly important to provide clarity to An Garda Síochána and others about where and when e-scooters can be used.
He said: “What we’ve got to do about e-scooters is, first and foremost, to protect the kids.
“Parents should not be buying these e-scooters for kids right now.
“In relation to insurance and registration, there are pieces that we will be working through with the RSA (Road Safety Authority) as well.
“We don’t want to make it overly burdensome on those who are actually using them appropriately.”
Existing and newly bought e-scooters will need to have a registered owner, so if a fine is required the owner can be contacted.
Ministers pointed to this system when asked about suggestions that parents could be fined for children’s use of e-scooters.
“If I give my car to a 16-year-old, I am responsible for that – it’s the same way with an e-scooter,” Minister of State Seán Canney said.
He added: “Let’s be clear on this. This is going to be very simple. It’s going to make sure whoever owns the e-scooter is responsible for it.”
Mr Canney said that more than 1,400 e-scooters had been seized in the first six months of the year, with almost 800 prosecutions issued in the same period.
“So people might think there is no enforcement. Enforcement is happening,” he said.
“The use of drone surveillance will also be an added value to the gardaí, and we’re working with the gardaí, if there’s anything else that they do need in terms of legislation for us to strengthen their hand.”
In relation to scramblers, Mr O’Brien said 96 had been seized in the first quarter of the year, which compares with 156 seized in the full year in 2025.
The ambiguity around scrambling use has now been removed
He said: “The ambiguity around scrambling use has now been removed.
“They cannot be used in public places or on public roads outside of designated sporting activity and designated sporting areas.”
The Government announced it would be increasing restrictions on e-scooters due to serious injuries caused to children in particular.
While focus has been placed on the lack of powers gardaí have to pursue suspected illegal e-scooter use, such as minors using them or speeding above the limit, the Government has also suggested it could shift the obligation to retailers that sell e-scooters in legislation that will be brought forward in September.
Safety issues with e-scooter and scrambler use have come into focus this year after the death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch in Finglas in a crash involving a scrambler while she was walking home, and multiple fatal and serious crashes involving e-scooters.
Other road reforms considered by Cabinet include strengthening the Road Safety Authority and expanding its existing educational programmes.
Cabinet also approved a plan for better sharing of traffic collision data with local authorities and improvements for drivers, including the “abolition of the requirement to display a paper motor tax disc”.
