The death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch in Finglas, north Dublin, last month when she was hit by a man on a scrambler, has brought about a much wider review of safety on Irish roads, including e-bikes.
Though the use of scrambles, and e-scooters, has also been part of the public debate since Grace was killed on January 25th, the review now being undertaken will include e-bikes. And it will incorporate road safety equipment, such as possibly making helmets and hi-vis clothing compulsory.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said though scramblers would be tackled with a ban, the Government and senior gardaí had agreed e-bikes and e-scooters, which have grown much more popular in recent years, will now be examined very closely.
He told Claire Byrne, or her new Newstalk show, legislation in place since 2023 would now be triggered to ban scramblers and quad bikes from public roads. Last week he met to discuss the ban with Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Attorney General Rossa Fanning, among others.
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He also told The Claire Byrne Show that Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly is “anxious to have a more intense approach in terms of taking the scramblers out of public parks and roads”, adding the Garda force would increase enforcement.
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“There are two decisions that were taken last week," Martin said. "One was... in terms of banning scramblers from public roads and public parks, but also a full review of e-bikes and how they’re regulated.
"The need for helmets, for example, high-vis – I mean, the injuries arising out of e-bikes for example are quite shocking and the medical world is saying to us ‘wake up here’.
"I recall last week, a young teenager (sustained) a brain bleed because of an e-bike incident - an e-scooter incident in that case. We have to move quickly in relation to this, and we're going to do that."
Grace Lynch died after being hit by a man on a scrambler the weekend before last on Ratoath Road, Finglas.
An 18-year-old man was arrested and has since been charged with dangerous driving causing death. A court sitting was told it appeared from CCTV footage the bike was being driven at least 85kmph, though a 50kmph maximum speed limit was in place.
