No plans for e-scooter by-laws despite surge in Waterford tragedies

There are currently no plans to introduce by-laws for e-scooters in Waterford, despite a surge in accidents locally.

Fianna Fáil councillor Eamon Quinlan called for action to be taken on the issue at the January plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.

Cllr Quinlan said: “I want to raise the issue of e-scooters amid a recent surge in accidents, tragedies and general use of e-scooters, now that they’ve been legalised.

“I’d like the council to look at enacting by-laws in relation to e-scooters. We obviously have various powers under the various Road Traffic Acts to create by-laws.”

He continued by outlining one specific area where the current e-scooter regulations are unclear.

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“Whilst most by-laws [...] are done at national level, there is some ambiguity already seeping in and I’ve checked this with various people on the north side of Ireland.

“Things such as shared services that we are building as a local authority around the county that are neither footpath or road.

“They’re a grey area and I think we should devote time to keep up and create bye-laws to make [them] safer.”

Cllr Quinlan said that maybe the council is uncertain about its ability to create by-laws in relation to e-scooters.

He concluded by calling on the local authority to take legal advice so that it could fully understand its powers in that regard.

In response to Cllr Quinlan, Director of Services Gabriel Hynes outlined the e-scooter regulations that are already in place.

“E-scooters, we’ve been very clear about them. The regulations are there. You can’t ride an e-scooter unless you’re over 16 years of age.

“The maximum output is 400 watts. It must have lights. You can’t use a footpath or pedestrian areas. You can’t have a seat or carry passengers.”

Mr Hynes said that whilst the enforcement of these regulations has been discussed by the council’s Road Safety Committee, it is ultimately a matter for the gardaí.

He continued: “We have agreed with the RSA and the gardaí to have an awareness day in January, so that’s being arranged at the moment.”

Mr Hynes concluded by saying that he didn’t see the need for special by-laws for e-scooters, but he would raise the issues with the RSA and the gardaí.