Quick answer: shared e-scooter hire is very limited in Ireland. As of September 2026 we could verify only one shared e-scooter scheme, Bolt’s pilot in Wexford town, which launched in August 2024 as Ireland’s first. There are no shared e-scooter schemes in Dublin, Cork, Galway or Limerick that we could confirm, and Cork’s expanded bike share will not include e-scooters. E-scooter law is also changing fast: helmets and high-visibility clothing became mandatory on 4 September 2026 and the minimum age is due to rise from 16 to 18. Check the app and your local council before planning a trip.
Why there are so few rental e-scooters in Ireland
E-scooters only became legal on Irish roads in 2024. The EU Urban Mobility Observatory reported that Ireland’s regulations took effect in June 2024, giving e-scooter users the same rights and obligations as cyclists. The same report said shared schemes can be introduced by local councils but require bye-law amendments, and that councils in Dublin, Fingal, Limerick and Galway were assessing whether schemes were feasible.
Since then, the policy mood has shifted towards tighter control. In July 2026 TheJournal.ie reported that the Government planned an under-18 ban, mandatory helmets and high-visibility vests, and future legislation to treat e-scooters as mechanically propelled vehicles requiring licensing and registration. RTE reported on 3 September 2026 that the Government had not ruled out a complete ban. In Cork, Echo Live reported in September 2026 that the National Transport Authority’s expanded bike-sharing scheme would not include e-scooters, and that some potential providers had withdrawn after the Government said it was considering a blanket ban.
Who operates where (as of September 2026)
| Operator | Cities and areas | Notes | Official website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolt | Wexford town | Ireland’s first shared e-scooter scheme, launched 15 August 2024 with Wexford County Council. Over 50 e-scooters alongside Bolt e-bikes. The council described an initial trial period of six months and its page did not give a later update, so confirm it is still running in the Bolt app. | bolt.eu |
| Lime | Castlebar, County Mayo | Lime lists Castlebar as its only Irish location. The scheme launched in 2022 as an e-bike pilot with Mayo County Council, so do not expect e-scooters there. | li.me |
| Voi | None in Ireland | Voi’s location list has no Irish cities. | voi.com |
| Dott | None in Ireland | Dott’s locations page lists no Irish cities. | ridedott.com |
If you see a shared e-scooter in another Irish town, check with the local council that the scheme is authorised. We could not verify any other live scheme from official or recent news sources.
How the Wexford scheme works
According to Wexford County Council and RTE’s launch coverage:
- You register on the Bolt app and select a scooter.
- Riders must be 18 or over.
- The scooters have a built-in speed limit of 20 km/h, and a “Beginner Mode” limits new riders to 15 km/h.
- Parking is only allowed at mandatory designated parking locations around Wexford town, the same system used for Bolt’s e-bikes.
- An in-app cognitive reaction test checks for sober riding, which RTE reported applies between 10pm and 5am.
- A tandem-riding prevention system stops two people riding one scooter.
Neither the council page nor the RTE article gave prices, so check the live price in the Bolt app before you unlock.
Rules every e-scooter rider in Ireland must follow
These rules apply to all e-scooters, rented or owned. They are changing during autumn 2026, so check the latest position before riding.
Rules in force
- Speed: maximum 20 km/h.
- Minimum age: currently 16 in law (rental schemes such as Bolt’s already require 18).
- One person only: it is illegal for more than one person to ride a scooter.
- Equipment: front and rear lights and two independent braking systems, with a maximum weight of 25 kg.
- Where to ride: e-scooter users have the same rights and obligations as cyclists on public roads.
- Helmets and high-visibility clothing: mandatory from 4 September 2026, according to RTE, with a €100 fixed charge notice for breaches.
Changes announced but not yet in force (as of 3 September 2026)
- Age rising to 18: RTE reported the under-18 ban was expected in late September or early October 2026, after European Commission approval.
- Higher detention and storage fees: from 2 October 2026, €80 for detention and the first day of storage and €30 for each extra day.
- €100 fixed charge notices for e-scooter offences, due in the coming weeks.
Proposals still under discussion
The Irish Times reported on 2 September 2026 that ministers were divided over reclassifying e-scooters as mechanically propelled vehicles, which would bring licensing, registration and possibly insurance. The Minister for Transport warned this could become “a de facto ban”. An outright ban also remains under consideration. Any of these could affect whether shared schemes expand or continue.
How to book a rental e-scooter in Ireland
- Check that an authorised scheme runs where you are. At the time of writing, Wexford town is the only one we could verify.
- Download the operator’s app (Bolt for Wexford) and create an account.
- Confirm you meet the age rule (18 or over for Bolt).
- Bring a helmet and high-visibility clothing, which the law now requires.
- Find a scooter on the map, unlock it in the app and ride within the zone.
- Park only at a designated parking location and end the trip in the app.
What does it cost?
We could not find an official price for Bolt’s Wexford e-scooters on the council page, RTE’s launch report or Bolt’s announcement. Prices vary by city and are shown in the app. For context only, Move Electric reported that Lime’s 2022 Castlebar e-bike pilot charged €1 to unlock plus 15 cents per minute, but that was for e-bikes and may have changed.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is part of the UK, so Irish e-scooter law does not apply there. The UK government’s rental e-scooter trials are all in England, and we found no rental e-scooter scheme in Northern Ireland. See our UK guide for details.
Tips for riders in Ireland
- Do not assume a scooter you see on the street is legal to hire: check the scheme is authorised by the council.
- Wear a helmet and high-visibility clothing on every ride, rented or owned.
- Watch the news this autumn: the age limit, fines and possibly the legal status of e-scooters are all changing.
- If you are travelling to Dublin, Cork, Galway or Limerick, plan on bike share or public transport instead, as we found no shared e-scooters there.
Sources
- EU Urban Mobility Observatory: Ireland introduces regulations for e-scooters (4 June 2024) (urban-mobility-observatory.transport.ec.europa.eu)
- RTE: Under-18 e-scooter ban could be in place by end of month (3 September 2026) (rte.ie)
- TheJournal.ie: E-scooters to be banned for under-18s, helmets and high-vis to be mandatory (20 July 2026)
- The Irish Times: Ministers divided over plans to reclassify e-scooters as motor vehicles (2 September 2026) (irishtimes.com)
- Bolt: Bolt launches the first shared e-scooter scheme in Ireland (15 August 2024) (bolt.eu)
- Wexford County Council: Bolt shared e-scooter scheme (wexfordcoco.ie)
- RTE: Country's first e-scooter rental scheme starts in Wexford (15 August 2024) (rte.ie)
- Lime: Locations (li.me)
- Move Electric: Lime launches e-bike rental scheme in Ireland (23 September 2022) (moveelectric.com)
- Echo Live: Plans to expand shared public bike scheme in Cork proceed without including e-scooters (16 September 2026) (echolive.ie)
- GOV.UK: E-scooter trials, guidance for local areas and rental operators
- Voi: Locations (voi.com)
- Dott: Locations (ridedott.com)