Road Safety

Tuesday, 14 October 2025

Questions (272)

Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Question:

272. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Transport the provisions in place or are being developed to enable people to obtain insurance for electric bikes used on the road, following the introduction of legislation making it illegal to cycle these bikes without insurance; and if he will address the fact that constituents who have contacted both the RSA and the Department of Transport have been unable to obtain clarification on same. [55009/25]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 makes a clear regulatory distinction between low-powered, pedal-assisted electric bikes (e-bikes), which are treated in the same way as pedal cycles, and more powerful, throttle-assisted bikes, many of which are now classed as e-mopeds. It is only throttle-assisted L1e-A and L1e-B e-mopeds require insurance to be used on Irish roads.

The role of the Department of Transport in relation to motor insurance relates to legislation under the EU Motor Insurance Directives and the Road Traffic Acts. The policies of individual insurance companies are a matter for those companies themselves, and the Department of Transport is not in a position to mandate the sale of particular insurance products.