Council parks e-scooter plan for time-being

Plans to introduce a public e-bike and e-scooter scheme in Cavan have been put on hold, with the local authority instead prioritising the expansion of active travel infrastructure before considering any shared micromobility initiative.

A spokesperson for Cavan County Council confirmed there is currently “no update” on proposals for a public e-bike or e-scooter scheme, saying the council's immediate focus remains on “expanding” Active Travel projects across the county.

The decision comes amid growing national scrutiny of electric scooters, with public concern increasing following a series of high-profile crashes, rising injury figures and repeated warnings from An Garda Síochána over their misuse.

Rather than introducing a shared micromobility scheme in the near future, the council is concentrating on improving footpaths, cycle lanes and other infrastructure designed to encourage safer and more sustainable transport options.

The cautious approach reflects a changing landscape since e-scooters were legalised for use on Irish roads in 2024 under regulations governing speed limits, minimum age requirements and where they may be ridden. Riders must be at least 16 years old, are prohibited from using footpaths and are required to comply with the same rules of the road as cyclists.

However, debate over their use has intensified in recent months following reports of a sharp rise in serious injuries involving children.

Injured

In May last year, two boys were injured after falling from a high-powered e-scooter on the N87 near Black Ridge Roundabout in Ballyconnell. One 12-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries, was airlifted to Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street and placed in an induced coma.

Only last week, Children's Health Ireland warned that emergency departments are treating e-scooter-related injuries almost daily. Doctors said e-scooters are now the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among young people admitted under its Neurosurgery and Rehabilitation Services.

Seized

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has also called for tougher restrictions, telling an Oireachtas committee that e-scooters are frequently used by criminals to facilitate drug dealing, intimidate victims and evade Garda patrols. Figures presented to the committee showed that more than 1,800 e-scooters and scramblers have been seized this year, while prosecutions involving juveniles have risen significantly.

Divisional gardaí across Cavan, Monaghan and Louth have issued 86 fixed charge penalty notices for offences relating to electric scooter speed limits and other regulations since the new rules came into effect in May 2024.

Earlier this year, Independent Ireland councillor Shane P. O'Reilly called on Cavan County Council to support a ban on scrambler bikes and tighter regulation of e-scooters.

In neighbouring Monaghan, Sinn Féin councillor Niamh McCooey urged Monaghan County Council to adopt a road safety plan similar to Donegal's, where the local authority included a commitment in its Road Safety Plan 2022-2030 to promote awareness of the safe use of e-scooters.