A simple e-scooter ban is just lazy, says Green councillor Moran

The Green Party in Cork has said it would be “lazy” on the part of the government to issue an outright ban on [url=

https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41864493.html]e-scooters. [/url] Taoiseach Micheál Martin recently said that he is “leaning towards” a ban on e-scooters as the Dáil heard concerns about gangs using e-scooters and scramblers across Ireland.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly was asked by Oireachtas Committee on Transport chairman Michael Murphy whether a complete ban on the use of the vehicles on public roads and in public spaces would be his preferred option.

Mr Kelly said that he would “absolutely” support an outright ban, though added that garda will “police whatever the legislation in place is”.

Green Party councillor for Cork City North East, Oliver Moran, said: “There's a demographic element to this. Half of e-scooter users are below the age of 24, only about 5% are over 50, and they're almost all urban-based.

“I think there's an element of a reaction against anything new as well. Instead of going after the retailers who are selling e-scooters to young children, it's easier for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to go after young workers instead.” 

Under new e-scooter legislation — which came into effect in May 2024 — e-scooter users must be aged 16 years or older.

They must obey a speed limit of 20km/h; drive only in cycle/bus lanes or on the road; obey gardaí and general rules of the road; and have lights, a bell or audible warning device, reflectors, and brakes on their e-scooter.

Riders must not use footpaths, pedestrianised areas, or motorways, hold or use a mobile phone, have a seat on their e-scooter, or carry passengers or goods.

However, The Echo recently revealed that there were just 48 fines issued in Cork city and 25 in the county in the two years since the introduction of the legislation.

Mr Moran said: “The current rules are sensible: you must be 16 or older, you cannot go faster than 20km/h, you must obey traffic laws.

“It smacks of laziness to say that rather than enforce the laws that are there, including prosecuting retailers selling to children, wouldn't it be easier to just ban them altogether.”