Two teens were fined for breaking e-scooter laws while riding in Cork city, highlighting the need for awareness of new regulations.
The officers spotted them right away. It’s against the law to carry passengers on these scooters. Plus, the scooter had a seat, which is also not allowed.
In the end, the teens got hit with a €50 fine each for their mistakes. Honestly, they could have saved money by taking a taxi instead.
E-scooters are super convenient, but they can be risky on busy streets. New laws were introduced to keep riders safe, starting in May 2024.
Now, e-scooters can only carry one person at a time. They’re allowed in cycle lanes and on certain roads, but not on footpaths.
Riders must also have lights, a bell, reflectors, and brakes. And while you don’t need a license, you must be over 16 to ride one.
There are more rules too. E-scooters can’t go over 20 km/h and must follow the same road rules as cyclists. They also can’t weigh more than 25 kg or have over 400 watts of power.
Some scooters can be modified to exceed these limits, which is a problem. Gardaí have already caught several riders breaking these new rules in Munster.
Just last July, someone in Waterford was caught with a modified scooter. And in Bandon, another rider was fined for speeding, even though they wore a helmet.
