Urgent calls to regulate Dublin rickshaws following fatal crash

Dublin City Council has called on the Government for stricter regulations.

Fine Gael Councillors Danny Byrne and former Lord Mayor Ray McAdam called for urgent action on the matter through an emergency motion, which received unanimous support at last night’s monthly council meeting.

Tributes and condolences were issued by the meeting's councillors, with Cllr Byrne saying: “We must be very clear that the circumstances of this collision remain a matter for An Garda Síochána and nothing in our motion seeks to prejudge that investigation or attribute responsibility.

“However, this tragedy has brought renewed urgency to serious questions that have existed around rickshaws in Dublin for many years - questions around licensing, insurance, roadworthiness, passenger safety and enforcement."

He added: “It is simply not good enough that almost a decade after legislation was enacted, and years after Government proposals were brought forward, there remains such uncertainty around the regulation of rickshaws carrying passengers for reward."

The motion urges the Minister for Transport to address the legal uncertainty surrounding motorised and electric rickshaws as well as to take any necessary legislative steps to prevent their use on public roads.

It also calls for an immediate enforcement operation to examine registration, insurance, licensing, roadworthiness and passenger safety.

McAdam further stressed that the proposal is “not about prejudging one particular incident” but ensuring the current regulatory framework is “adequate to protect passengers and other road users”.

“Government approved proposals back in 2018 relating to motorised and non-motorised rickshaws, yet significant issues remain unresolved. Section 31 of the Road Traffic Act 2016, which was intended to provide for the regulation of non-motorised passenger transporters including rickshaws, has still not been commenced.

“That cannot continue indefinitely. Dublin needs clarity, proper enforcement and a regulatory framework that puts public safety first.”

Additionally, calls were made for DCC to install no new rickshaw stands, designated locations, permissions or other council facilities intended to support rickshaw operations ahead of the opertion's completion.

“Dublin is a busy, growing capital city. We need to make sure that every form of commercial passenger transport operating on our streets is properly regulated, properly insured and safe,” Cllr Byrne continued.

“The family at the centre of this tragedy deserves our sympathy and respect. Our responsibility as elected representatives is to ensure that the necessary questions are asked and that action is taken where action is required.”