Ban on use of e-scooters for under 18s comes into force
Ireland has implemented a ban on e-scooter use for individuals under 18, following a surge in serious injuries among children. The new regulations also mandate the use of helmets and high-visibility clothing, with increased fines for non-compliance.
Why it matters
This reflects a growing global trend of governments tightening safety regulations on micro-mobility devices to address public health concerns.
A ban on the use of e-scooters for under-18s comes into effect today, just four weeks after new regulations requiring e-scooter users to wear helmets and high-visibility clothing came into force.
Compliance with those new measures appears to be very low but the Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien has said that while it takes time for new rules to bed in, he is "watching carefully" how people are responding to the new regulations.
Up to now, the minimum age for e-scooter use was 16, but as of today, that has been increased to 18, making the use of an e-scooter by a child illegal.
"I'm out and about in Dublin a lot and around the country as well," minister O'Brien said. "I see people using helmets and high vis. I see others who are not.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in