Officers from the Dublin Metropolitan Region said 33 e-mopeds and 8 e-scooters have been confiscated under the newly revised Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023.
The changes were introduced to modernise the country’s road laws, addressing emerging transportation technologies and promoting road safety.
Among the most significant changes are new regulations for Personal Powered Transporters, such as e-scooters, with specific requirements for high-powered e-bikes expected to follow.
The 33 e-mopeds and 8 e-scooters were seized over several days this week across the Dublin area.
Offences included exceeding maximum permitted speed or power output and using throttle-assisted e-mopeds that were unregistered and uninsured.
In a statement, gardaí said that while e-scooters and e-mopeds have become popular commuter choices, it is essential for these vehicles to be properly regulated and safe.
“Always make sure your chosen mode of transport complies with legal requirements to ensure the safety of all road users, including yourself,” they added.
Earlier this year, new regulations allowing the use of e-scooters in public spaces came into effect, with a typical speed limit set at 20kmph and strict guidelines on braking and lighting.
The regulations prohibit multiple riders on a single e-scooter, restrict public use to individuals aged 16 and over, and specify that e-scooters must not be fitted with a seat.
These vehicles must also be safe, roadworthy, and must not “endanger, impede, or inconvenience the rider, other road users, or the public”, the law states.
Gardaí are also now empowered to seize scramblers and quad bikes when they are used recklessly in public areas, in an effort to curb anti-social behaviour.
The Act also allows for variable speed limits on the M50 and other major routes to improve traffic flow during peak times.
Further provisions in the legislation support sustainable travel infrastructure through the BusConnects project, paving the way for expanded public transport and cycling initiatives.
