Scooter speed demons who don’t obey a proposed new 25mph speed limit would be hit with massive fines and possibly banned from using their trendy wheelies.

But there will be no need for tax or insurance on the scooters, which had been mentioned as a possibility by Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, over the summer.

Fianna Fáil transport spokesman, Marc MacSharry, is bringing legislation to the Dáil this week that plans to regulate the new form of transport.

He said he wants to resolve the “legal limbo” that exists around scotter use.

The scooters are becoming more and more visible around Dublin and are a convenient, green way of getting through urban traffic.

But they are completely unregulated at the moment and concerns have been raised that reckless users are a public safety scourge.

The powerful little two wheelers can be quite powerful, with some flashy models hitting top speeds of 45mph.

Another proposal from Mr MacSharry in his plan to rein in the racers is to put the scooters in bike lanes away from cars and buses on the main roads where they might try to go faster.

Mr MacSharry said: “The use of e-scooters is growing in popularity with commuters and companies in our cities offering e-scooter rental to tourists.

“There needs to be clarity brought to their use as they are in a legal limbo.

“As it stands, e-scooter users should have insurance, road tax and a driving licence, with penalties under road traffic laws, including fixed charge notices, penalty points, fines and possible seizure of the vehicle, for not being in compliance with these requirements.

“Despite this, it is currently not possible to tax or insure e-scooters, so they are essentially illegal on Irish roads.

“The reality is that e-scooters will be used, especially among young people.

“They offer a green alternative to commuters making short journeys around the city and suburbs.

“E-scooters have the potential to reduce congestion and emissions.

“Our Bill will expand the remit of the Road Safety Authority to make recommendations regarding the safe use of e-scooters.

“Furthermore, it empowers the Minister for Transport to make any necessary regulations.

(Image: Gareth Chaney/Collins )

“To date Minister Ross has failed in his duty to all road users, leaving scooter users in a legal limbo, Gardaí with unenforceable obligations and pedestrians at risk.”

The party’s spokesman for Dublin, John Lahart, added: “The Minister for Transport has to recognise the changing methods of commuting, particularly in our cities.

“We need to regulate for the safe use of e-scooters and electric bicycles.

“Our cycle lanes, bus lanes, and roads in Dublin are changing and carrying different modes of transport. This will only continue as we seek to meet our climate action goals with carbon friendly methods of transport.

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“Minister Ross needs to ensure pedestrians, cyclists, and those using low carbon modes of transport on our roads are able to do so safely.

“Regulating for the safe use of e-scooters can go some way to addressing the congestion crisis in Dublin city.”