254. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport to introduce legislation to compel the registration of E Scooters and Bikes and a licencing system for users. [67757/26]

As Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I wish to advise that, legal advice is currently being sought regarding the treatment of e-scooters as other mechanically propelled vehicles. This potentially involves:

• Requirements for registration

• Potential requirements for licencing, insurance and taxation

• Prohibition of the supply of e-scooters to minors

• Prohibition of the sale of e-scooters that do not meet the legal requirements for use on public roads

Proposals and details in relation to these matters is being considered and will be brought to Cabinet in due course.

Under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, an e-bike is a bicycle with an electric motor up to 250 Watts, where the motor cuts out when pedalling stops (known as pedal assisted) or the speed reaches 25kph. E-bikes are treated as regular bicycles and may be used in cycle lanes.

More powerful pedal assisted e-bikes and bicycles operating on the motor alone (throttle assisted) are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, like cars, vans, trucks, buses or motorbikes. They are called e-mopeds. There are two types of e-moped:

L1e-A: this is a pedal assisted e-moped, with a maximum speed of 25kph and maximum power of up to 1,000 Watts.

L1e-B: this is a two wheeled moped, with a maximum speed of 45kph and maximum power of 4,000 Watts.

All e-mopeds are now required to be registered and taxed in the same way as any other mechanically propelled vehicle. In addition, throttle assisted (L1e-B) e-mopeds must also have motor insurance and a Category AM driver’s licence.