Shared micromobility companies have welcomed an important new step in the legal recognition of e-scooters in Ireland.
This comes as Irish President Michael Higgins has signed The Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021. The Bill references “powered personal transporters,” a category that includes e-scooters.
Operators now await detailed legislation to set out the requirements for private and shared e-scooters on Irish roads. This is likely to happen after the Summer recess.
“It has been a long time coming, and it’s a very positive move for Ireland,” Mike Manchip, Anadue CEO and Founder, told Zag Daily.
Manchip feels that there’s still much to be done to achieve the potential benefits of shared e-scooters in the country. “There is a need for local authorities and shared e-scooter companies to coordinate how to deploy shared e-scooter services that are sustainable.”
Operators
Head of Public Policy for Bolt Ireland, Aisling Dunne, welcomed this significant piece of legislation being signed into law.
“We are now waiting for the publication of the regulations, which will contain greater details on the vehicle standards and user behaviour,” said Dunne. “We will continue to work with local councils and look forward to shared schemes launching before the end of the year.”
Having recently entered the Irish market with a scheme in Castlebar, Lime’s Senior Public Affairs Manager Hal Stevenson added: “We look forward to working with Irish cities and transport partners to build on our existing successful operations here.”
Jessica Hall, Tier’s Head of Public Policy for the UK and Ireland, told Zag the legislation is well considered and enables people in Ireland to take advantage of a sustainable alternative to the car.
“With proper legislation the public can feel secure in the knowledge that the vehicles they ride are legal and law enforcement can focus on anti-social behaviour and illegal vehicles.”
The company first launched its first full scale e-bike scheme in Ireland a year ago, in Fingal, and has operated an e-scooter trial on private land at DCU for the last two years
“We are well placed to ensure these new vehicles are introduced safely,” said Hall. We are excited to be able to offer e-scooters alongside our existing docked push bikes and e-bikes and dockless e-bikes and e-cargo bikes, to cater to the unique transport needs each town or city presents.”
Irish firm Zeus’ CEO Damian Young told Zag the company will actively contribute to improving the mobility mix and quality of life for people in Ireland.
“As Ireland’s largest and only homegrown scooter company, we have worked closely with local councils for several years,” said Young. “This legislation represents a significant step towards embracing sustainable mobility solutions, and Zeus is committed to playing a role in this positive transition.”
Regulation
Ireland’s Road Traffic and Roads Bill allows the use of “powered personal transporters” on roads up to 25 km/h and maximum continuous rated power limited to 0.5 kilowatts.
More details are awaited in a secondary legislation.
