E-scooters are a 'menace' in Kildare, says local rep
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Local councillors are set to write to the Minister for Transport to address the issue of safety issues related to electric scooters.
At the most recent full meeting of Kildare County Council, Cllr Tom McDonnell motioned “that the council writes to the Minister for Transport to review enforcement and implementation of Road Traffic Regulations 1997 (as amended) specifically related to electric scooters with a view to protecting all road users.” Cllr Ger Dunne supported the motion.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr McDonnell remarked that the vehicles have become “a menace” and said that fatalities from them are increasing. He noted the popularity of them amongst youths and said that there is an issue with e-scooter users going above the speed limit.
The members agreed to write to the Minister on the matter.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister of State for Road Safety Seán Canney and Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien are due to meet early in 2026 to discuss ways of strengthening e-scooter regulations, with a focus on compulsory use of helmets and high-visibility jackets.
Current regulations prohibit children under 16 from using the vehicles, with the maximum legal speed being 20km/h and their use on footpaths being prohibited. Under the law, the vehicles cannot carry more than one passenger at a time.
These rules are broken on a regular basis by some users.
A report published late last year from the College of Physicians found that e-scooters are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries to children at Temple Street Hospital.
There were three fatalities from the vehicles across the country in 2025.
