Government crackdown on e-scooters will prevent injuries – Murphy

New safety measures for e-scooters, including mandatory helmets, an extended age ban, and future licensing requirements are a positive step forward by Government, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Michael Murphy, chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee said, “These measures represent a significant and necessary step forward, but an outright ban must remain firmly on the table if the issues around e-scooters aren’t brought under control.”

Government leaders agreed proposals with the Garda Commissioner, with a package of measures to go before Government next week.

“This is decisive action from Government, and it’s badly needed,” he said. “The scale of Garda activity around e-scooters alone tells its own story.”

The Garda Commissioner confirmed that 1,412 e-scooters have been seized so far this year, with 793 prosecutions for possession in the same period.

Data from Children’s Health Ireland and the HSE points to a deeply concerning pattern of serious injury. More than one third of all paediatric traumatic brain injury admissions to CHI Temple Street in 2026 were e-scooter related.

“These figures involving children are stark, and every parent will understand why Government has moved on this,” Deputy Murphy said.

From August, high-visibility clothing and helmets will be mandatory for all e-scooter users, and the existing under-16s ban will be extended to include all those under the age of 18.

Later this year, legislation will bring e-scooters under the same regime as other mechanically propelled vehicles, requiring licensing and registration, and stopping the sale to minors or of non-compliant e-scooters.

Further legal protections for Gardaí pursuing e-scooters and e-bikes, mirroring a similar system in the UK, were also agreed by Government leaders.

Deputy Murphy concluded by saying, “An outright ban remains on the table, and rightly so. Government will not hesitate to go further if that’s what is needed to keep people safe on our roads.”