Nationwide ban on U-18’s use of e-scooters comes into effect

ROBYN KELLY

A ban has come in prohibiting the use of an e-scooter for anyone under the age of 18. The law has come into effect just four weeks after new regulations requiring all e-scooter users to wear helmets and high visibility clothing came into force. Up until now, the minimum age to use an e-scooter was 16, however today, the age has been pushed to 18, making the use of an e-scooter in a public space by a child illegal.

Fees for the detention and storage of seized e-scooters have also doubled from today, with the initial detention fee becoming €80 and increasing subsequently by €30 a day.

Earlier this year, CHI Temple Street called for an outright ban on their use because of the high number of children coming into their Emergency Department critically injured from e-scooter related injuries. The number of children and young people admitted to hospital with traumatic brain injuries following e-scooter incidents increased by 50 percent yearly according to data from Children’s Health Ireland. Doctors have described the issue as an epidemic, and had called on the government to act.

By mid July of this year, the HSE confirmed figures of 87 patients who had been treated for injuries in Our Lady of Lourdes hospital Drogheda involving an e - scooter or e - bike. 39 of which were noted to be children under the age of 16. Numbers had more than tripled in comparison to 2025, when the total injuries sustained by U-16’s were reported to be 10.

Back in July, the issue of the dangers of e-scooters was brought into sharp focus following a tragic fatality involving the death of a young man on the Kenstown Road when the e-scooter he was riding was in collision with a car in the early hours of the morning of 26th July. The tragic death was described by Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons as "heartbreaking news" for the community of Navan.

In early August, residents of a Navan estate had come forward with concern following anti-social behaviour involving teens on e-scooters throwing eggs at the town bus service in the black castle area. There had been several incidents of eggs being hurled at buses in Blackcastle for a few weeks, with locals travelling on the buses being terrified of the incidents that put their safety at risk. When contacted, Bus Eireann stated “These incidents are concerning and we are monitoring the situation closely.”

Meath West TD Johnny Guirke welcomed the ban. He noted many constituents had contacted him himand claimed they were ‘living in fear of being hit by an e-scooter’.

He described the vehicles as a ‘scourge on communities when misused. While he fully supports the age limit, he maintains that ‘strong enforcement from authorities will be required’ to make the laws effective.