Laois TD calls for new e-scooter restrictions to be extended to e-bikes
Laois TD Brian Stanley has welcomed the new rules on e-scooters
A Laois TD has welcomed the increased restrictions on e-scooters, although he has urged that legislation must go further.
The Government has agreed to ban e-scooters for anyone under the age of 18. It has also been made mandatory for e-scooter users to wear hi-vis jackets and helmets.
These new rules will come into effect in August.
There are also plans for legislation to be introduced later this year which will treat e-scooters as mechanically propelled vehicles and there will be a requirement for licensing and registration.
Laois TD Brian Stanley has welcomed the move by the Government. However, he argued that e-bikes must also be included in the new legislation due to the even higher speeds some e-bike users are travelling, with some in excess of 60km/h.
“I look forward to these laws being implemented and will be putting in an amendment to make sure they cover e-bikes and also to demand early action,” Deputy Stanley said.
The Laois TD also emphasised the critical importance of enforcing the existing laws around e-scooters before the new legislation comes into force.
“It is critical that while we are waiting for these new measures to kick in, the existing laws must be enforced for children under 16 years of age who are not supposed to be using e-scooters. Enforcement needs to be implemented. I constantly see people riding them on footpaths and action needs to be taken on that also.
“Gardai need to complete checks to determine if e-scooters have a 20-kilometer speed limit on them and that they are not capable of doing greater speeds. This needs to be enforced and drawn down on.”
The Independent TD concluded: “It's important that Gardai are given the new powers to pursue people on e-scooters and e-bikes as there is currently a deficiency there, this has been the case for one Garda who has been brought before the courts because he gave chase to someone on an e-scooter.”