Mon 26th June 2023: The Irish Government put out a press release which about an upcoming change in the law which will clarify the legal status of e-bikes and e-scooters.
These are some text extracts from the document...
" The Act will also put e-bikes on a legal footing. E-bikes with a maximum power output of 250W and a motor cut-off speed of 25km/hr will be treated as bicycles under Irish law. E-bikes that can go faster than 25km/hr or have a power output greater than 250W, and those that can operate without pedaling will now be classified as an e-moped. Under the new categorisation, e-mopeds will be seen as motorised vehicles which will require a licence, registration, tax and insurance to be used on Irish roads.
One of the most significant provisions in the Act is the resolution of legal barriers to e-scooters. E-scooters, while a regular part of our streetscape, are not yet legal to use on public roads. This Act introduces a new class of vehicle called Personal Powered Transporters (PPTs). Regulations can now be commenced to classify e-scooters as PPTs, allowing the Minister to specify appropriate power, speed and weight values, along with other technical and usage requirements for e-scooters. Until the regulations are in place, e-scooters will remain illegal for use on public roads. Once the regulations are in place, those that do not comply with them will be illegal to be used on public roads.
What the Roads Traffic and Roads Act 2023 includes:
Powered Personal Transporters (PPTs)
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 creates a new vehicle category, powered personal transporters, including e-scooters and future micro-mobility devices as needed. PPTs do not require registration, motor tax, insurance or a driving licence to use on Irish roads.
The power, weight and design speed of PPTs are capped at:
Maximum continuous rated power output of up to 500 W
Maximum net weight of 25 kg (battery included)
Maximum design speed of up to 25 km/hr
While the 2023 Act specifies these values for all PPTs, the Act allows the Minister to vary them in regulations for particular PPT types.
Any type of PPT will not be legal to use until specific regulations are in place. The Department of Transport is preparing regulations for e-scooters. There are no plans to regulate for any other PPT and they will remain illegal to use on public roads.
There is no change to the legal status of pedal assist e-bikes with a power output up to 250W and where the motor cuts out at 25 km/h and does not operate without pedaling. These will continue to be classed as pedal cycles.
People who own, or are considering buying, an e-bike below these thresholds can continue to use them on public roads and in cycle and bus lanes. They will not need to register, tax or insure their e-bikes or hold a driver’s licence.
E-bikes, like bicycles, are not permitted to use footpaths or motorways.
New classification of e-bikes capable of speeds above 25km/hr
E-bikes with a power output over 250W or where the motor does not cut out at 25km/hr or continues to operate without pedalling will now be classified as an e-moped. They will be classed as mechanically propelled vehicles (MPVs), as for mopeds or motorcycles. This change brings Ireland in line with EU law.
E-mopeds will have to be registered, taxed and insured to be used on Irish roads and their drivers will need an AM category of licence.
The new rules for e-mopeds will come into effect once the administrative arrangements for registration, driver testing, driver licensing and taxation are in place, which is expected to be in Q1 2024.
Owners of e-mopeds, or anyone considering buying an e-moped, will not need to make any changes yet and can continue to legally use their e-moped like a pedal cycle or e-bike until then. "
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| 750-watt e-bike which will need a licence and insurance |
Link: Full press release
