Know the rules: stay safe on your e-Scooter

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and An Garda Síochána have joined forces to promote the safe and legal use of e-scooters on Irish roads. The awareness campaign highlights the importance of understanding and following the rules introduced under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023.

With e-scooter usage on the rise, so too are incidents involving them. Recent research by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in 2025 revealed that 1 in 4 regular e-scooter users had been involved in a collision, while 1 in 3 reported experiencing a near miss. Tragically, several serious injuries and fatalities have occurred in recent years.

Councillor Jim Gildea, Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said:

"I welcome this awareness campaign. E-scooters are a new novel mode of transport and can assist in reducing car trips. However, e-scooters users are vulnerable road users and owners must be aware of the traffic laws and regulations concerning this new vehicle type to ensure the safety of themselves and others." 

E-scooter riders are advised to:

• Stay off footpaths – e-scooters are not permitted on pedestrian walkways.
• Do not carry passengers – e-scooters are designed for single-person use only.
• Keep speeds below 20kph – exceeding this limit is both dangerous and illegal.
• Seats must not be installed on e-scooters.
• Be visible at all times – riders must use front and rear lights and should wear reflective clothing.
• Use helmets and high-visibility vests – while not mandatory, they are strongly recommended for safety.
• Obey all road signals – including instructions from Gardaí and school wardens.
• Follow the rules of the road – e-scooter users must adhere to the same regulations as cyclists, including traffic lights, road signs, and pedestrian crossings. 

Chair of the Road Safety Working Together Group, Cllr John Kennedy added: 

"Micro-mobility options like e-scooters are key to reducing car dependency and emissions. Education is essential to ensure these vehicles are used safely and respectfully and to ensure the safety of others.”

An Garda Síochána are pleased to partner with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to promote the safe and responsible use of e-scooters. All e-scooter users are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the relevant safety guidelines. Motorists should treat e-scooter users with the same care as cyclists—this includes allowing sufficient space when overtaking. To ensure safety for all road users, e-scooter riders must be at least 16 years old, adhere to a maximum speed limit of 20km/h, and must not ride on footpaths or carry passengers. This initiative also serves as a reminder to all road users to be mindful of vulnerable individuals and to maintain safe distances when sharing the road. 

The campaign’s key message is simple: know the rules, follow them, and stay safe.