The new rules for e-scooters decided by the government

The government has decided against a complete ban; sales to those under 16 will be extended to those under 18.

​People will now be required to have a driver's licence to be able to use an e-scooter.

The new regulation also includes mandatory high-viz jackets and helmets.

The changes will be implemented in August.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, Minister of State for Transport Seán Canney and Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly met at Government Buildings this morning (Monday).

​Since May 2024, Children's Health Ireland Hospital (CHI) at Temple Street has admitted over 25 children with traumatic brain injury due to e-scooter falls, “making e-scooters the current leading cause of admissions of children with traumatic brain injury to Ireland’s national neurosurgical centre.”

​People Before Profit–Solidarity politician Paul Murphy says banning e-scooters for under-18s is the wrong approach.

​He believes that e-scooters are a popular, affordable, and environmentally sustainable form of transport. 

​“It is estimated that one in every 25 adults travels by e-scooter at least once a month,” he said. 

“It is an affordable and environmentally sustainable mode of transport that we should not rush to ban. 

“17-year-olds are legally able to drive a car, and yet the government is now saying that they will not be able to ride an e-scooter.”

​The Green Party  licencing and registration cannot be a way of introducing a ban by the back door by making the responsible use of e-scooters unattainable.

“Requiring licensing, registration and high-viz vests for e-scooters under 20kph that are currently legal and slower than bicycles amounts to collective punishment,” Roderic O’Gorman TD said.

Instead, they insist that “the Government should focus on its terrible record on road safety and enacting priority legislation instead of punitive measures against adults who currently use e-scooters safely.”