The Irish government has moved to clarify the new legal position. Gardai had already begun to seize some bikes on the road. For the first time some bicycles are being classed as vehicles.
Tax and insurance laws for some bicycles in Ireland
The Irish Government is now stipulating that some bicycles need to be taxed and have insurance.
Those riding them will also need to get the bikes registered and wear a helmet.
For some time now the Garda has been confiscating bicycles modified by the addition of engines.
The “bikes” have been seized because they can reach speeds of 45km per hour without the need to pedal.
Stickybottle has covered numerous incidents involving bikes being seized. You can read about those cases by clicking here and also by following this link.
However, aside from the Garda’s social media accounts highlighting these cases, the official line from Government has been muddled.
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Finally, it seems the policy for Ireland has become more formal. And the Government is now clearly stating the rules for speed pedelecs.
These are essentially bicycles with some form of power that can deliver speeds of 45kph or more without the rider pedalling.
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A large range of E-bikes reach 25 km per hour but are made to go no faster. However, as the E-bike technology improves, some bikes are built to go faster.
Furthermore, the Department of Transport has now stipulated that bikes capable of reaching 45km and faster will be classified under law as small motorbikes.
Thankfully bikes with a power source but which are not capable of carrying the rider at those speeds will continue to be classified as bicycles in Ireland.
It means they will not come under any new restrictions such as tax, insurance and registration. As a result, helmets will not be mandatory.
Minister for Transport Shane Ross has set out the new rules for the high speed pedelecs. He did so in reply to a Dail question from Michael McGrath TD, Fianna Fail’s finance spokesman.
“Any vehicle intended or adapted for propulsion by mechanical power, irrespective of engine capacity, is considered to be a mechanically propelled vehicle under Road Traffic Legislation when used in a public place,” he said.
“The user of such a vehicle in a public place must have insurance, road tax and a driving licence.
“(They) must also wear a helmet when using certain vehicles. (There are) severe penalties... for not being in compliance.”
Penalties for non-compliance
The penalties include fixed charge notices, penalty points, fines and possible seizure of a vehicle.
It remains unclear how high-speed pedelecs will be registered. Furthermore, whether number plates are required is also not clear.
Shane Ross said all bikes classed as vehicles must also be in working order like any other “vehicle”.
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