Dublin moves to ban use of electric scooters for under 18s
The use of electric scooters will be prohibited for under 18s from August in the 26 Counties, the Dublin Government announced on Monday.
The Cabinet agreed to roll-out the ban amid growing public safety concerns over the use of e-scooters by minors.
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister of State at the Department of Transport Seán Canney agreed on a series of proposals with Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan and the Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly.
The Garda Commissioner advised that there has been ‘a significant increase in Garda operations connected to e-scooters, including that 1,412 e-scooters have been seized so far this year’ in the 26 Counties.
There have also been 793 prosecutions for possession of e-scooters this year.
The meeting also discussed the initial data from Children's Health Ireland and the HSE indicating a concerning pattern of serious and life-changing injuries caused by e-scooters.
More than one-third of all paediatric traumatic brain injury admissions to CHI at Temple Street in 2026 were related to e-scooters. Admissions for traumatic brain injuries from e-scooter accidents increased by 50 per cent in the last 12 months.
CHI estimates one to two children a day are presenting across EDs this summer with e-scooter injuries.
At the meeting it was agreed that high-visibility jackets and helmets will be mandatory for all e-scooter use, and the ban will be extended to under-18s. This will take effect in August.
Later this year, legislation will be introduced to treat e-scooters as all other mechanically propelled vehicles, and there will be a requirement for licensing and registration.
This will also prohibit the sale of scooters to minors and the sale of scooters that do not meet the legal requirements for use on public roads.
An outright ban will remain on the table.
It was also agreed further protections will be provided to members of An Garda Síochána to mirror the system in the UK. This would grant greater legal protections to gardaí when pursuing e-scooters and e-bikes.
The new proposals will be brought to Government by the Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien and Minister Canney next week.