New road safety regulations to address e-scooter use in Mayo
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, and Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety Seán Canney, today introduced new regulations to make helmets and high-visibility clothing mandatory for e-scooter users. This is a key road safety measure in light of the increasing number of serious injuries and fatalities associated with e-scooter usage. This change will come into effect next Friday, September 4.
Government approved a series of road safety measures for e-scooters in July 2026. Further measures will be introduced in the coming weeks, as the necessary legislative, administrative and technical changes are confirmed and they are as follows: Fees for detention and storage of seized e-scooters will be doubled, rising to €80 for detention and the first day of storage and €30 for each additional day or storage. This will take effect from October 2; The minimum age for an e-scooter user will be increased from 16 to 18 years. Following legal advice from the Attorney General’s office, this measure has been submitted to the EU Commission as part of the EU TRIS (Technical Regulation Information System) process. This process takes up to 12 weeks, and it is intended that these regulations will be introduced before the end of the year; Charges for Fixed Charge Notices will be increased to €100 for e-scooter offences. Regulations for this change will be brought forward in the coming weeks; A Fixed Charge Notice offence for not wearing a helmet or high-visibility clothing while using an e-scooter will be introduced at same time at the new rate of €100.
Minister O’Brien said: “Road safety is a priority for me, my Department and for this Government. We are committed to taking decisive action to make roads safer for all who use them. The growing use of e-scooters has brought new transport opportunities, but it has also been accompanied by a concerning rise in collisions, serious injuries and tragic fatalities involving riders, pedestrians and other road users. The regulations signed today, along with others that will take effect in the coming weeks, will help create a safer environment for all road users.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Seán Canney, said: “I am pleased to have signed these regulations today. Like many of us, I am very concerned about the potential for tragedy when e-scooters are not used safely. I am pleased that we have moved quickly and effectively to introduce these regulations, which provide a proportionate regulatory framework for use of e-scooters.
“They will strengthen safety standards and support effective enforcement, while ensuring that the benefits of e-scooters can be realised without compromising public safety.”
Proposals regarding registration, insurance and driving licence requirements for e-scooters remain under consideration. The Department of Health will shortly bring forward their report on the public health implications of e-scooters and this will be an important factor in Government decisions on next steps. Proposals will be brought before Cabinet in due course.