'I don't think every e-scooter user should be tarred with the same brush'

With the recent discourse surrounding e-scooter bans in Ireland due to safety concerns, there is the other side of the argument that is vouching for the vehicles to stay.

Jacinta O’Connor, who has lived in Kells for the last 20 years, used to use her e-scooter to travel to work after developing a mobility issue.

“I had to travel from Kells where I live to Navan for work and being from Dublin, I never got my driver’s licence because public transport was always so accessible to me. When I first moved to Kells I just walked everywhere, but then I got a job in Navan. I developed a mobility issue called Plantar Fasciitis which makes walking very difficult, so I paid around €600 for the e-scooter.”

Jacinta always wore a helmet and a high visibility jacket while riding the scooter, but then the scooters were banned from footpaths in May of 2024.

“I had no problem riding the scooter on the road, and I had no other choice when the ban came in. I bought indicators and mirrors for the scooter online and bought a better helmet. I always used my scooter responsibly. Then, e-scooters were banned from buses, which I had to use.”

Jacinta had no other choice but to buy an electric bike, essentially flushing €600 down the drain as she could no longer use her e-scooter to commute.

“Bringing the bike on the bus is a lot more difficult than the scooter. The scooter tucked away compactly while on the bus, but the bike is big and bulky. I now work in Kells due to the mobility issue I have and thankfully I do not have to cycle into Navan for work.”

“I would of course be happy to tax, insure and register my scooter if the ban didn’t come in. I agree with curbing anti-social behaviour, but many people use e-scooters responsibly. Aggressive drivers on the roads make it more difficult for people using bikes and e-scooters, too.”

“I wouldn’t mind having to take some lessons to use the e-scooters if needs be, but I think banning them will have more of a negative impact than a positive one. I use mine to go to the shops and to go and meet friends and be social. It’s a great tool to get you out of the house when walking is difficult for you.

In my opinion, if parents are buying these scooters for their teenagers, they must take responsibility for any damages caused and to ensure that their children are up to date with road safety. If the scooters are banned, it is a lot of money down the drain for those who bought them. There is nowhere they can go once they’re banned. I just don’t think every e-scooter user can be tarred with the same brush.”

- What’s your view on e-scooters and e-bikes and plans to ban them for U18s, let us know, especially if you own one. E: Holly.Alder@meathchronicle.ie