Fine Gael councillors Danny Byrne and Ray McAdam have called for government action to address the safety, regulation and enforcement of rickshaws operating on the streets of Dublin.
The councillors brought an emergency motion before Dublin City Council following the tragic death of a woman who sustained catastrophic injuries in a serious road traffic collision on North Wall Quay on Saturday, 26 September 2026, involving a rickshaw and another vehicle.
The councillors have expressed their deepest sympathy to the woman’s family, friends and loved ones.
Councillor Byrne said, “first and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the woman who tragically lost her life.
“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.”
The South-East Inner City councillor said “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.
“We cannot wait for another tragedy before we get this right.”
The emergency motion calls on the Minister for Transport to immediately clarify the legal position surrounding motorised and electrically propelled rickshaws carrying passengers for hire or reward and to bring forward any legislation required to prohibit their commercial use on public roads.
It also calls for an immediate coordinated enforcement operation involving An Garda Síochána, the National Transport Authority, the Road Safety Authority and Dublin City Council, examining issues including vehicle registration, taxation, insurance, driver licensing, roadworthiness and the lawful carriage of passengers for reward.
The motion further asks Dublin City Council to identify all powers currently available to the Council to regulate or restrict the movement, stopping, standing and operation of rickshaws on roads and public places under its control.
North Inner City Councillor Ray McAdam said “this is not about prejudging one particular incident; it is about asking whether 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,” he noted.
McAdam noted that 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,” McAdam said.
The councillors are also calling for Dublin City Council to provide no new rickshaw stands, designated locations, permissions or other Council facilities intended to facilitate commercial rickshaw operations pending the completion of this work.
They are seeking a written report from the Chief Executive within 14 days setting out the legal and practical measures currently available to Dublin City Council, the NTA and An Garda Síochána, and identifying those measures which require further national legislation.
Byrne said, “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.”
“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.”