A Fine Gael TD has argued for more prosecutions of the misuse of e-scooters, comparing part of the country to the “wild west”. 

Previously, there was no legal basis at all for using scooters; however, that changed last year following the passage of the Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024. 

Despite this, Dún Laoghaire TD Barry Ward believes that enforcement of the new rules has been minimal. 

“The regulations came in on May 20th last year, which is a long time ago given there have only been, I think, nine seizures and only in the last few weeks,” he told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“Anybody in any city centre and my own area sees kids on footpaths; you’re not allowed to use them if you’re under 16, you’re not allowed to exceed 20km/ph, you’re not allowed to go on a footpath. 

“There are a number of aspects to the regulations that are routinely being breached. 

“If the regulations are there, let’s enforce them; if Gardaí need more resources to do that, let’s give them more resources.” 

Electric Scooters in a city park. Picture by: Kathrine Andi / Alamy.

Deputy Ward, who worked as a barrister prior to his election last year, said he has been “hoping and assuming” that the prosecutions will increase in the future. 

“But we need more prosecutions, more enforcement,” he continued. 

“Because at the moment, it’s a little bit like the wild west out there. 

“Kids particularly, all over the place.” 

Row of electric scooters for hire. Image: Pat Tuson / Alamy Stock Photo

Deputy Ward added that until recently, Gardaí were not even allowed to pursue people using e-scooters who failed to stop when asked. 

“If you’ve got this high powered scooter and they’re in a squad car, it’s impossible to chase it down a lane or if it goes through a park or a gap in the fence - or whatever it is,” he said. 

“So, they need the equipment to do it, definitely. 

“I would like to see Gardaí equipped with the fast e-bikes and the fast e-scooters to pursue people when they need to. 

“We also know, for example, that they weren’t allowed to do that until recently; the Garda Commissioner has approved the pursuit of people.” 

According to the Statista Mobility Market Outlook, the number of e-scooters has surged globally in the past decade. 

While there were some 10 million users in 2018, by 2022, there were an estimated 77 million.

Main image: A man with electric scooter on the street. Picture by: Alamy.com.