Gardaí have seized dangerous, overpowered scooters and bikes from children in Cork as part of a no-nonsense crackdown. It comes ahead of strict new rules that are set to take effect next month.
Gardaí from the Northside Community Engagement team are undertaking a major operation targeting the illegal use of “Personal Powered Transporters” (PPT). They are enforcing the rules and taking e-scooters and scramblers away from anyone, particularly children, who are using them dangerously.
Officials are undertaking covert operations, seizing vehicles, and encouraging members of the public to report concerns in their communities. This week, Gardaí stopped scooters and scramblers ridden by children as young as 4 and 9 years old.
The sweep of scramblers and e-scooter seizures comes as officials continue to urgently warn parents that these high-powered vehicles are not toys – and your kids could kill or be killed.
A high-powered scooter was capable of hitting nearly 90km/h
Across the Mayfield, Gurranabraher, and Glanmire areas, Gardaí seized an e-bike being ridden by a four-year-old, two e-scooters being ridden by nine-year-olds, and a scooter from a 14-year-old capable of speeds more than triple the legal limit.
The scooter was tested at Gurranabraher Garda Station and found to be capable of reaching a speed of 87 km/h. The current legal speed limit is 20km/h.
An e-scooter was also seized after Gardaí observed a passenger hitching a ride on the back, which is expressly prohibited under Irish law.
In a statement last night, An Garda Síochána Cork shared that the widespread operation is “aimed at keeping our roads and communities safe.”
A spokesperson said: “At these speeds, the potential for serious injury or loss of life is significant, particularly where young people are involved.
E-bike and scooters seized from kids just 4 and 9-years-old(Image: AGS)
“We are appealing to parents and guardians to carefully consider the risks before allowing children to use powered vehicles. High-powered e-scooters and scramblers are not toys and are not suitable for use by children. Parents and guardians should also be aware that allowing children to use these vehicles can place them and other road users at serious risk.
“Gardaí will continue to take enforcement action where powered vehicles are being used dangerously or unlawfully. Our priority remains protecting the safety of everyone in our community. Thank you to the members of the public who continue to report concerns and support our efforts to keep our communities safe.”
Since 2024, it’s been illegal for people under 16 to operate an e-scooter. From August, the age limit will be raised to 18. Stricter rules will also require e-scooter users to wear helmets and high-vis, with further legislation coming in later this year to classify scooters as mechanically propelled vehicles, requiring registration and licensing to operate.
The new regulations taking effect next month follow a damning report from Children’s Health Ireland, which warned that e-scooters are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among children admitted to its Dublin campus. The report also warned that injury rates are on the rise, with a 50% increase in e-scooter-related TBI cases over the past year.
A Cork-based trauma doctor told CorkBeo that e-scooters are “as dangerous as motorcycles.” Dr Éanna Mac Suibhne, who works in emergency trauma at Cork University Hospital, said he has witnessed a consistent rise in cases of people, including many children and teenagers, who are rushed to the hospital with traumatic injuries sustained in e-scooter collisions.
Online retailers like Amazon have already removed a number of non-compliant vehicles from their Irish storefronts.
An outright ban on e-scooters is still on the table following a meeting earlier this month between government officials and Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly.
The Garda Commissioner advised that there has been a significant increase in e-scooter operations, including the seizure of more than 1,400 e-scooters and more than 790 prosecutions for possession of illegal e-scooters so far this year.
Leaders also agreed on further protections for Garda Síochána, mirroring the UK system, which grants Gardaí greater legal protection when pursuing e-scooters and e-bikes.