Cork gardai to get high-tech device for detecting speeding e-scooters

Cork gardaí are to get a new high-tech device which can detect e-scooters with capacity to reach speeds above the legal speed limit, as a councillor says that some e-scooters are going at “downright dangerous” speeds.

A mobile dynamometer is a device capable of determining the maximum speed an e-scooter, e-bike or e-moped is capable of, rather than having to catch the passenger in the act of speeding.

A Garda spokesperson said: “The Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024 provide that an e-scooter must have a maximum design speed of 20km per hour or less. An e-scooter which does not meet the technical requirements may not legally be used on public roads.

Enforcing

“An Garda Síochána is currently undertaking a proof of concept for the introduction of mobile dynamometers for the purpose of enforcing these e-scooter regulations at the roadside. A number of mobile dynamometers have been distributed across the four Garda Regions.”

Labour councillor Peter Horgan told The Echo: “I understand that Cork will get one of these dynamometers in June and it’s welcome that we have one targeting areas where enhanced scooter speeds have been monitored.

“These are a legitimate alternative transport but the speeds that some scooters are now able to go is downright dangerous.

“Other cities have mechanisms where scooter speeds were automatically slowed when in pedestrianised zones and we must examine the technology to try and achieve that. They are for short hop journeys not designed as a main mode of transport to clock up to 40km per hour.”