Parents urged to stop buying e-scooters as 'toys' as Ireland brings in new laws

Ireland's deputy prime minister has urged parents to stop buying electric scooters as "toys" for their children ahead of new age limits coming into force.

Simon Harris was speaking after Irish politicians decided against a ban but said the age limit would be raised from 16 to 18.

It will take effect in August, when hi-vis jackets and helmets will also become mandatory for all e-scooter use.

Legislation will also be introduced this year in the Republic to bring in licensing and registration and to ban shops from selling them to under-18s.

Ireland's approach contrasts with the UK, where it is illegal for anyone to ride a privately owned electric scooter (also known as an 'e-scooter') in public, for example on pavements, on roads or in parks.

"There should be no parent in Ireland thinking an e-scooter is a toy," Mr Harris told RTE's Today programme on Tuesday.

He said the changes would make roads and pavements safer following a rise in serious injuries related to e-scooter use.

Children's Health Ireland (CHI) said traumatic brain injuries from scooter accidents have increased by 50% in the last year and children are turning up at casualty departments every day with scooter-related injuries.

Mr Harris, the country's finance minister, said he backed bringing in insurance, registration and tax for the vehicles - and suggested adults could even be penalised if their kids used e-scooters.

Irish police are also to be given more legal protection when pursuing e-scooters and e-bikes.

But opposition politicians argue the new rules won't be effective unless officers get more resources to enforce the law.

More than 1,400 e-scooters have been seized in the country so far this year and nearly 800 people have been prosecuted.

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Electric scooters are legal in Ireland but must meet criteria such as road-use only, have a built-in 20kph limit and a 25kg maximum weight.

The law in the UK is different: they are only allowed on public roads as part of a council-approved hire scheme and the rider must have a driving licence.

They are banned from pavements, while privately-owned scooters are only allowed on private land with permission and are banned from public roads.

However, either deliberately or unknowingly, many people break these laws. Despite the restrictions on their use in the UK, the sale of them is legal and has few restrictions.

Campaigners want more regulation and enforcement to protect people from dangerous riders and to stop rental e-scooters and bikes being carelessly discarded.

Paris banned rental e-scooters in 2023 after a rise in complaints but private ones are still allowed.

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