E-scooter age limit to rise to 18

Younger teenagers will soon be barred from riding e-scooters, as the Government raises the minimum age amid concern over serious injuries.

The age limit will rise from 16 to 18 on October 2.

On the same day, fees for recovering a seized e-scooter will double: detention and the first day of storage will cost €80, with a further €30 charged for each additional day.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said: “Increasing the minimum age for e-scooter use to 18 is a neces-sary and proportionate road safety measure.

“We have seen a concerning number of serious injuries and fatalities involving young e-scooter users, and our regulations need to address this.

“Together with the recent introduction of mandatory helmets and high-visibility clothing, these changes send a clear message that e-scooters must be used responsibly and safely.”

The changes follow the introduction of mandatory helmets and high-visibility clothing for e-scooter users on September 4th.

Minister of State for Road Safety Seán Canney said the new regulations were “about protecting lives and pre-venting serious injuries”.

“Raising the minimum age for e-scooter users to 18, alongside mandatory helmets and high-visibility clothing, will help to improve safety and encourage responsible behaviour on our roads,” he said.

Minister of State Jerry Buttimer said the higher age limit was “a sensible measure.”

“Raising the minimum age for e-scooter use to 18, alongside the introduction of mandatory helmets and high-visibility clothing, is a sensible measure that will help protect road users and promote responsible use,” he said.

“Our focus is on ensuring that active and sustainable travel options can continue to grow in a way that is safe for everyone, whether in urban centres or rural communities.”

The proposed age increase was notified to the European Commission under a process that normally requires a 12-week waiting period before new technical regulations can be introduced.

Following legal advice from the Attorney General’s Office, Ireland sought an urgent exemption, citing road safe-ty concerns and serious injuries associated with underage e-scooter use.

The commission accepted the request, allowing Ministers to introduce the regulations without the usual delay.

Further measures planned by the Government include raising fixed-charge penalties for e-scooter offences to €100 and introducing a €100 penalty for riding without a helmet or high-visibility

clothing. Those penalties have yet to come into effect.

Work on a registration system for e-scooters is also continuing.