Transport Minister Eamon Ryan published the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 yesterday, which provides for a new class of powered personal transporters (PPTs).

“These proposals in the bill should be seen as part of our wider efforts to encourage alternative forms of mobility, reduce our culture of reliance on the private car, and open opportunities for active and healthy travel,” said Mr Ryan.

The bill also has provisions for “dangerous and antisocial off-road use” of quads and scramblers in addition to laws to tackle uninsured driving.

Scooter sharing company Tier, which is undertaking a pilot project on five DCU campuses, said the bill means “we are one step closer to not only legally having e-scooters in Ireland, but also ensuring the country has the safest escooter regime in Europe”.

Mr Ryan said: “We committed in the programme for government to resolving legal barriers to the use of e-scooters, as well as e-bikes, and this bill will deliver on both of those commitments.”