Escooter

Makeda

Does anyone know what the story is with escooters? Are you allowed to use them on the roads now? Did new legislation come in?

Bluefoam

You can ride one that is restricted in speed and power it can be used in cycle lane and roads (not recommended) but not footpaths. They are treated as ebikes legally. Anything with greater capacity will require tax, insurance and safety gear, possibly even a license according to some, however that is not legislated for yet. My take in it would be to use one of the restricted ones and if you need something more capable look into an actual scooter or motorcycle... They are much more capable and suitable for purpose. You don't want to hit a stone at speed on one of those scooters.

I borrowed one when I brought my car for a service during work hours, had to get back to the office (2km), it was excellent at that, but getting up and down curbs was dodgy, turning circle was stressful and you are in constant danger of going arse over tit. Roads weren't suitable for it, they're best in areas with loads of cycle infrastructure.

My view on it was that the wheels were too small, cockpit too cramped, but speed was good enough for what they do... That was on a Xiaomi

KildareMan

Legislation is passed but the regulations have not been published. So effectively still illegal.

Get Real

This is entirely my opinion and I could be wrong. But until specific legislation comes in referencing e-scooters, just be aware the Road Traffic Act *may* apply to *some* models of electric scooter.

The definition of a mechanically propelled vehicle makes no reference to max speed capabilities or power. It only makes reference to a vehicle that's propelled by mechanical or electrical means.

So- a model of scooter that requires you to push a few metres with your feet is started up by human means, not mechanical.

Some other models though, don't require this, and from a starting position you just press a button and off you go. That'd be the same as a motorbike imo.

Take this one for example https://locoscooters.ie/products/kugoo-kirin-m4-electric-scooter a speed of up to 45km/h. Again, not that speed matters in a legal definition. But that yoke can just be started and off you go, no need for human propulsion. There's ones without seats that do the same, and their top speed might be 25km/h. They're still wholly mechanically propelled.

That's just my two cents. You wouldn't drive a moped and go around but use the excuse "I was only going 20km/h so doesn't count"

Make sure, you get a model that requires you to push with your feet to start off. It's a technicality. But god forbid you were involved in a collision or, like last week that poor 80 year old woman died after being hit by one on Eccles street. You could be done for a driving offence.

Also, don't believe the shop. Their motive is money, like the shop above selling that yoke. All will be well 99.99% of the time. But if something were to go wrong, make sure you've a road legal one. You can't claim ignorance after the fact.

Flinty997

The new legislation defines the power and speed restrictions for PPTs which eScooters now are.

How you start the eScooter is irrelevant.

muddle84

I thought its in effect once its signed by the President which it was on the 23rd June:

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2021/128/

What it includes on Escooters:

What the Roads Traffic and Roads Act 2023 includes:

Powered Personal Transporters (PPTs)

The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 creates a new vehicle category, powered personal transporters, including e-scooters and future micro-mobility devices as needed. PPTs do not require registration, motor tax, insurance or a driving licence to use on Irish roads.

The power, weight and design speed of PPTs are capped at:

• Maximum continuous rated power output of up to 500 W
• Maximum net weight of 25 kg (battery included)
• Maximum design speed of up to 25 km/hr

and for Ebikes which it looks like doesn't come into affect until next year?:

New classification of e-bikes capable of speeds above 25km/hr

• E-bikes with a power output over 250W or where the motor does not cut out at 25km/hr or continues to operate without pedalling will now be classified as an e-moped. They will be classed as mechanically propelled vehicles (MPVs), as for mopeds or motorcycles. This change brings Ireland in line with EU law.
• E-mopeds will have to be registered, taxed and insured to be used on Irish roads and their drivers will need an AM category of licence.
• The new rules for e-mopeds will come into effect once the administrative arrangements for registration, driver testing, driver licensing and taxation are in place, which is expected to be in Q1 2024.
• Owners of e-mopeds, or anyone considering buying an e-moped, will not need to make any changes yet and can continue to legally use their e-moped like a pedal cycle or e-bike until then.

Link for the above:

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/fe24f-ministers-welcome-significant-new-legislation-to-help-make-our-roads-safer-and-support-the-roll-out-of-improved-public-transport/#:~:text=The%20Road%20Traffic%20and%20Roads%20Act%202023%20creates%20a%20new,to%20use%20on%20Irish%20roads.

Flinty997

I'm not sure if they are legal until the rest of the process to handle enforcement is in place. Or is it legal now. It's not clear. The govt literally says both things on the same page.

Not like they'll enforce it "mostly" anyway.

Mosorchat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120807061#Comment_120807061

Personally, I find your comment quite vague in the current law and its interpretation regarding electric motorbikes.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121272902#Comment_121272902

That's because the "current" law is vague.

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121272972#Comment_121272972

The current law isn't vague as they are completely illegal, the issue is that we don't enforce our laws. Don't confuse laws with enforcement.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121272978#Comment_121272978

I didn't mention enforcement. The law was passed though. The question is when did/does it come into effect.

galwaytt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121273006#Comment_121273006

it won't come into effect until the Minister signs the Regulations - that hasn't happened yet, and is (supposed) to happen by the end of the year.

Until then, they're illegal, simples.

Flinty997

Are regulations different to legislation? If so why does one require the other to make it legal? Is that enshrined somewhere? Might be duh question, but I'll ask it regardless.

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121275221#Comment_121275221

The regulations are the specs that make legislation work. The regulations are that PPTs can't exceed 25kph, the legislation says that PPTs are legal.

Hotblack Desiato

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121272972#Comment_121272972

You are talking to a soon to be banned robot

muddle84

https://www.mayonews.ie/news/national-news/1332487/man-killed-in-collision-between-van-and-e-scooter.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0zYtgMKrCuPvPFAHEJwProiANJlqV2Ow3__xxjKGgQnkrYqeKU8DFLnCQ 

This might change how things are progressing with the e-scooter laws and enforcement....

Henry Ford III

I heard about an elderly lady who was knocked down on a footpath in Limerick and required a hip replacement as a resukt.

These escooters are deadly. The laws need to be tightened and enforced.

Varik

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121285673#Comment_121285673

Going by the description of where he was hit it was a good bit outside the village and on 1 of 2 unlit country roads in the dark. There's also a pole down going from the image from one of the silgo paper so wasn't just a clip.

The lights on them aren't great and the rear lights may as well not be on most of the time.

I met a pair on the N21 a good bit outside Abbeyfeale coming towards me at night and for a while I couldn't make out what they were. The low dim lights made it look like a far away car, they were pretty close before I could make them out and if someone had tried to overtake me he'd have taken them out.

Hotblack Desiato

Another feckin' robot. Reported.