Local councillors to seek meeting with Gardaí over growing use of e-scooters

LETTERKENNY-MILFORD Municipal District Council is to seek a meeting with An Garda Síochana regarding the increasing use of e-scooters in Letterkenny and issues that have arisen.

The March meeting of the local authority held on Tuesday heard that there are major concerns regarding safety, notably for pedestrians, as a result of the number of e-scooters being used.

Under current legislation, people using an e-scooter must be 16 years or older, and must obey a maximum speed limit of 20km/h.

E-scooters are allowed in cycle and bus lanes as well as on local, regional, or national roads.

The legislation also states that e-scooters must have lights, a bell or audible warning device, reflectors and brakes, and must be kept in a “roadworthy condition at all times”.

In addition, e-scooters are not permitted to use footpaths, pedestrianised areas or motorways.

And users are prohibited from holding or using a mobile phone, to have a seat on the e-scooter and cannot carry passengers or goods.

Raising the matter, Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh noted that while fixed charge notices can be issued for minor offences, the maximum fine is just €50.

“My main concern is the driving of these e-scooters on footpaths,” he began, noting that there have been “instances of people being knocked down” in the town.

He added: “I am wondering what role council has to play, should traffic wardens have a role, and should we have bye-laws?”

Cllr. Gerry McMonagle, Cathaoirleach, tabled a motion looking for a meeting with gardaí to discuss the rise in the use of e-scooters in Letterkenny, the rules of how and where they can be used, and to examine the merits of drawing up by-laws if needed.

He stressed that e-scooters are a “good form of transport” and he noted that the local authority is putting in the proper infrastructure required, in the form of proper cycle paths around the town.

That said, with an increase in the number of young people in the town and the increase in e-scooters, they are predominantly being used on footpaths at the moment.

“There does not seem to be any policing of it,” he maintained, adding: “We should get the gardaí in to talk to them.”

Cllr. McMonagle also highlighted the dangers being created by people using e-scooters who are not wearing hi-viz vests or helmets.

He also commented on how a lot of people using the e-scooters are under-16, and how some are also carrying passengers.

“The people responsible for regulations are not doing anything about it,” he claimed.

He also suggested that people using e-scooters should “go through some form of proficiency test”.

Senior Executive Engineer (Roads), David McIlwaine pointed out that the “responsibility is with the user” and that the introduction of cycleways in the town will segregate the e-scooter users from pedestrians.

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