A Fianna Fáil TD has called for the Government to “get very tough” on delivery drivers who use e-bikes. 

Today, new regulations come into force governing the use of e-scooters, with high vis jackets and helmets now compulsory for all riders. 

The rule change was brought in after a number of children ended up in hospital with life changing injuries from e-scooter accidents. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Clare TD Cathal Crowe urged the Government to go even further to improve road safety. 

“We've a lot of food delivery people now using motorcycle helmets, which will tell you what speed they’re really going at,” he said. 

“I've been pushing the Garda Commissioner and the Minister to also regulate these - they're either e-bikes or not. 

“Some of them are going faster along the quays of Dublin than the cars and vans that are driving in the main thoroughfare.

“So, I think we've got to get very tough on this.”

A e-scooter user. Picture by: Rollning News.ie.

The Government hopes to ban all those under the age of 18 from using e-scooters, but legislation has been delayed by the Attorney General, who advised that it risks falling foul of European law. 

Despite this, Deputy Crowe described a ban on children using e-scooters as “essential”. 

“We've been told that EU regulation does a lot of technocratic rules in Europe,” he said.

“But when you bring in a strict rule like this, it can be prohibitive to some of the single market rules that we're tied to in Europe.

“Sometimes when we're bringing in regulation, check-in is required here; we don't think it's going to become a major issue.

“All going well around 12 weeks from now, we hope to get the green light to bring in this stricter rule prohibiting use of these e-scooters for people under the age of 18.”

Children using e-scooters. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Previously, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “leaning towards” a full ban on e-scooters. 

However, after a Cabinet discussion, the Government opted for further restrictions instead of an outright ban. 

“That could yet have to happen if things continue,” Deputy Crowe said. 

“But for now, it's a restrictive practice; enforcement by An Garda Síochána, fixed penalty fees that people have to pay if an e-scooter is seized and impounded will also double from the 2nd of October.

“We're getting very strict on this.”

The Fianna Fáil TD admitted that Gardaí would find the new rules a challenge to enforce, but hinted that a significant increase in Garda numbers would be announced in next month’s budget. 

“I'm not sugarcoating this, Garda numbers are strained,” he said. 

“There's the EU Presidency, there's rural crime, there's the pulls of the urban environment and what policing is required there - I accept all of that.

“I would say, on the other hand, Minister Jim O'Callaghan has made huge inroads in terms of recruitment. 

“And I think there'll be some good news on Budget Day again about Garda recruitment, where we need to get to.”

Main image: A cycle courier riding an e-bike. Picture by: Alamy.com.