Three charities call to ban e-scooters from footpaths
New figures show 746 traffic incidents recorded for the past year
E-SCOOTERS should be banned on footpaths to protect ‘pedestrians with access needs’, three leading disabilities charities said.
It comes as new figures from gardaí show there were 746 traffic incidents involving e-scooters recorded in 2022, up from the 640 in 2021.
It is currently illegal to use them on Irish roads and footpaths but legislation to legalise them is making its way through the Oireachtas.
Under current law, e-scooters are defined as mechanically propelled vehicles, which means they would require a licence, tax and insurance.
Since it is not currently possible to tax an e-scooter, they are technically illegal on Irish roads. While the new legislation is being considered in the Oireachtas, the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, and the Irish Wheelchair Association are all urging Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to ban e-scooters on footpaths.
Speaking yesterday, NCBI spokeswoman June Tinsley said that e-scooters pose a ‘significant risk of harm’ when used on footpaths.
The NCBI have said 77% of their clients have had an incident with an e-scooter on a footpath.
Ms Tinsley told Newstalk: ‘People who are blind or vision impaired can’t see the e-scooters approaching, so we would certainly like an audio sound attached to e-scooters to assist in this.
‘For people who are guide dog users, the fast-approaching escooters can certainly startle guide dogs who can then get a little disorientated and, as a result, their owners are unsure of exactly what’s happening.
‘Any individual with an access need, whether they are a wheelchair user or even parents with small children in buggies, when the e-scooters are going past so fast, it certainly has led to collisions and incidents.’
Ms Tinsley said Garda figures show that there were more than 1,300 traffic incidents involving escooters in the last three years ‘in some cases leading to injuries and also, to two deaths’. John Fulham of the Irish Wheelchair Association said they are looking to ensure e-scooters are confined to cycle lanes.
He said: ‘E-scooters at the moment they’re not legal but the Government is bringing in legislation as part of the overall transport and climate agenda for e-scooters to become legal.
‘The challenge here for people with disabilities is that as it currently stands, e-scooters will be usable on footpaths and that is a shared space that places people with disabilities and limited mobility in a very vulnerable position. We’re advocating and lobbying with the Department of Transport and the Minister to ensure that when e-scooters come in, it’s done in a safe way.’ In a statement, a spokeswoman for the Department of Transport said: ‘The Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 is currently before the Oireachtas.‘The Bill will limit the weight and speed of e-scooters that can be used on Irish roads. The subsequent regulations will set out how they should be used – although not complete, the intention is that permissible e-scooter should be used in a similar manner to (pedal) bicycles. ‘Mr Ryan and officials can meet these organisations further regarding relevant regulations.’
‘It led to collisions and incidents’