Tier welcomes prioritisation of e-scooter legislation

Tier has welcomed the Irish Government’s move to prioritise the legalisation of e-scooters in its summer session legislative programme.

The Road Traffic (Misc Provisions) Bill, which will legislate for and regularise the usage of e-scooters, is contained within the Legislation Programme Summer Session 2021 document published by Government chief whip, minister Jack Chambers T.D.

The Government announcement follows the news that Tier will be launching the first e-scooter trial in Ireland, serving Dublin City University’s (DCU) five campuses across North Dublin initially and then as legislation allows, connecting the campuses. Tier currently operates an e-scooter trial in York.

Tier said the trial, in collaboration with Smart Dublin, Luna Systems, and Insight DCU, will explore how e-scooters in Ireland can bring about modal shift from private cars, reduce congestion and pollution, as well as how sensors can be used to enhance safety for both users and the wider public.

Tier has launched a UK and Ireland Safety Board to raise the bar for safety standards across the entire e-scooter sector and have partnered with the AA to launch an e-scooter theory test to educate people around e-scooter safety and responsible use.

Tier is also offering private e-scooter owners in the UK the chance to trade in their vehicles to be recycled or repurposed, in exchange for up to £150 ride credit with the company, to tackle illegal e-scooters. 

Rental e-scooters were legalised in the UK in July 2020, however it is illegal to use personal e-scooters on the road, in cycle lanes and on the pavement and the police can issue riders with a £300 fine and six points on their driving licence, while also having the right to confiscate the vehicle.

In 2020, MPs on the Transport Committee called for the Government to legalise e-scooters to help reduce congestion.

Fred Jones, Tier’s regional general manager for Northern Europe, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to see the Irish Government preparing to legalise e-scooters on roads.

“Tier wants to be at the forefront of this leap forward for mobility in Ireland - offering the safest vehicle and innovations like integrated helmets and the world’s most accurate parking technology.

“To make a success of e-scooters in Ireland, the industry must listen to the concerns and advice of a range of different groups, road users and communities across the country.

“We look forward to working with many stakeholders and supporting the Government and cities in the coming months.”