The e-scooter, with seat attached. Photo: An Garda Síochána Mayo/Facebook

Mayo gardaí detect speeding e-scooter with seat attached

AN e-scooter with a seat attached was detected speeding by gardaí in Mayo yesterday evening.

The Roads Policing Unit detected the e-scooter travelling at 28 km/h on the N83, with a seat attached to it.

A speed limit of 20 km/h or less applies to e-scooters and seats are prohibited.

An Garda Síochána issued a reminder of the regulations around the use of e-scooters.

* Minimum age: You must be 18 or older to ride an e-scooter legally (the age limit increased from 16 on October 2).

* Safety gear: Helmets and high-visibility clothing are strictly mandatory.

* Prohibitions: You cannot carry passengers, transport goods, use a mobile phone, or have a seat attached to the scooter.

* Power and weight: Maximum continuous rated power output is capped at 400W, and maximum weight is 25kg.

* Speed and wheels: Maximum design speed is 20 km/h, and wheels must have a minimum diameter of 200 mm.

* Fines and seizure: Infractions carry fixed-charge notices.

Gardaí can seize non-compliant or illegally operated scooters. Storage fees to release a detained e-scooter start at an initial €80 plus €30 for each additional day of storage.