The Irish government has approved a package of stricter e-scooter regulations that will ban anyone under 18 from riding the devices and make helmets and high-visibility clothing mandatory for all users, with the new rules expected to take effect by the end of August.
Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien secured cabinet approval on Wednesday for the measures, which also raise on-the-spot fines for all e-scooter offences to €100 and double the fee for releasing detained scooters to €250. Minister of State Seán Canney said more than 1,400 e-scooters had been seized in the first half of the year, with nearly 800 prosecutions launched. Tánaiste Simon Harris has called for insurance, registration and tax requirements for riders, with penalties for parents.
The government may shift regulatory obligations to retailers in legislation expected in September. Separately, the cabinet approved €2 billion in additional funding for Uisce Éireann and the first action plan under the National Strategy for Women and Girls.