The new legislation will regulate e-scooters, as well as e-bikes, and will see the modes of transport recognised as a separate class of vehicle.
E-scooters have become a familiar sight across our cities, towns and even villages, most notably in the capital where the form of transport is favoured by both commuters and workers alike.
Handy for their neat and compact frame, as well as their low cost and zero pollution, e-scooters have fast become one of the most in-demand modes of transport.
So much so that the Government here has finally warmed to their use, announcing long awaited plans to draft legislation which will regulate the popular electrically propelled vehicles.
As part of new plans announced on Monday by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan, the Government will classify both e-scooters and e-bikes under a new vehicle category called ‘Powered Personal Transporters’ or PPTs and will see the vehicles finally become legal to use under Irish road-traffic law, as they technically hadn’t been before.
The full extent of the proposed legislation has not yet been revealed and is part of the soon-to-be-released Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. It will also cover the how and where such vehicles may be used as well as a full safety framework.
No tax or insurance required
Most interestingly, those who own an e-scooter or e-bike won’t be required to tax or insure any vehicle under the new legislation, nor will a driving licence be required by riders.
However laws around speed limits, age limits, the use of helmets, and whether footpath use is allowed still need to be outlined.
With e-scooters becoming ever more popular in towns and cities as a means of commuting, the new legislation will not only make using an e-scooter legal, it will also open the door for rental companies to start offering a service to the public.
However, companies with their eyes firmly fixed on the Irish market will still be required to have some type of group insurance. And while the news around tax, insurance and licence is ‘broadly in line with the rest of Europe, sharing schemes will be at the behest of local councils’.
At least that’s according to Damian Young, Founder and CEO of Irish-owned company ZEUS Scooters.
Speaking about the announcement, Mr Young said:
We welcome the progress announced by the Minister [on Monday] and look forward to seeing Ireland join its European colleagues in bringing accessible, environmentally favourable and cost-effective micro mobility to our urban areas.
As the fastest growing micro mobility company in Germany, ZEUS, a wholly owned Irish company, looks forward to bringing its unique approach to cities and towns in Ireland in 2021.
So, while legislation will make it legal for people to use e-scooters there's no official word yet from any council on any potential e-scooter rental schemes. But keep your eyes peeled!
Get insured with bonkers.ie
While you may not need insurance for your e-scooter you might be thinking about taking out a longer and more important insurance policy.
Did you know that at bonkers.ie we have our own in-house insurance broker service? Our service is backed by a team of qualified advisers who will help guide you through your application.
At bonkers.ie you can easily compare quotes from Ireland’s leading insurance providers across life, health, serious illness and even mortgage protection cover. And once you've found the right policy for you, you can apply online on our site in just minutes.
Best of all our service is free, easy-to-use, 100% impartial and accurate.
You can use our comparison tool today and get a quote in seconds by clicking here.
We also have a range of helpful insurance guides that will assist you in making informed decisions and provide you with useful saving tips. Check out the following to learn more:
- It’s surprisingly easy to reduce your home insurance premium. Here are 10 ways to reduce your home insurance costs without affecting your level of cover.
- Here are 12 things to consider when taking out car insurance to ensure that you’re getting the right cover for your needs.
- If you’re a mortgage seeker, you’ll likely have thought of mortgage protection insurance. Here are 6 important factors to consider when buying mortgage protection insurance.
Get in touch!
What do you think of the new legislation? We'd love to hear from you!
If you have any questions regarding e-scooters, e-bikes or insurance in general, feel free to get in touch with us. Comment below or contact us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
