Dublin City Council has launched a survey to gather public opinion on its proposed new by-laws aimed at regulating electric scooters and other powered personal transport devices. The move follows on from the introduction of the Vehicle Registration numbers for electric scooters, the removal of dockless schemes and ongoing issues around speed and road safety in the city. The proposed by-laws establish rules and regulations around the use and parking of electric scooters and other powered personal transport devices in public areas. They include speed limits, prohibitions on use on specific roadways, helmet use requirements, and specific parking regulations.
The proposed by-laws will also require riders to be over 16 years of age, have third-party insurance, and have safety vests or jackets. E-scooter users must stay in bike lanes, cycle tracks, or on the road if there is no dedicated infrastructure for them. However, they are not allowed on footways, pedestrian paths, or shared pedestrian and cycle paths. They are also prohibited from using e-scooters in public parks or at any time during a demonstration, parade, or public assembly.
The new by-laws apply primarily to electric scooters and e-bikes, but they also cover all forms of powered personal transport devices, including hoverboards and electric skateboards. The council has stated that the regulation of these modes of transport is necessary as it aims to develop a safe, sustainable, and integrated transport system for everyone in the city.
The council is currently inviting feedback from the public, businesses, and stakeholders on the proposed by-laws. People can participate in the consultation process by completing a survey on the council’s website. The survey feedback will be used to inform the development of the final by-laws.
The council’s proposal comes after a number of serious accidents involving electric scooters in the city. Last month, a cyclist was seriously injured in a collision with an e-scooter in Dublin city centre. In July, a pedestrian was hospitalised following a collision with an e-scooter in Smithfield. The council, in collaboration with the Gardai, has also launched a road safety campaign to increase awareness around the safe use of electric scooters and other personal transport devices.
The new by-laws are expected to be introduced in early 2022, subject to the completion of the consultation process and approval by the council’s transport committee. It is unclear how the council will enforce the new rules, but fines are likely to be issued to those who don’t comply with them.
Several cities around the world have introduced regulations for electric scooters and other personal transport devices in recent years, including London, Paris, and Barcelona. In some cases, the regulations have focused on limiting the number of shared e-scooter and e-bike schemes on city streets, while in others, they have established rules around speed, parking, and road safety. As the use of these modes of transport continues to grow, it is expected that more cities will introduce similar regulations.
