merrion street

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Shane Ross TD, has announced the launch of a public consultation on Powered Personal Transporters (PPTs), the most common of which are e-scooters.

The consultation follows on from a report commissioned by the RSA which broadly supports legalising the use of such vehicles on public roads, but subject to certain criteria. Under current road traffic legislation, the use of these mechanically propelled vehicles is illegal on public roads/in public places.

The public consultation will commence on 1^st September next and will run for a period of two months, concluding on 1^st November, 2019. It will be available on the Department’s website, www.dttas.gov.ie, and submissions are being invited from all interested parties. The consultation is also being brought directly to the attention of a range of stakeholders with a particular interest/responsibility for road safety.

Minister Ross said: 

Ireland is not unique in facing up to the issue of either continuing to ban or regularising the growing presence of powered personal transporters and particularly e scooters. Administrations across Europe are facing similar challenges. The report commissioned by the RSA outlines how there is no universal consensus in other countries in how to approach this issue.”

I believe this eight week consultation period will allow us to hear from a wide variety of stakeholders, interest groups, safety organisations and members of the public which will better inform us as to how to address this changing commuter and transport landscape,

the Minister added.

Report commissioned by the RSA