CONCERN OVER E-SCOOTER MENACE GROWS AFTER WEEKEND TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN MONAGHAN TOWN

PETER HUGHES

Renewed concern about the lack of legislative controls over the use of e-scooters and e-bikes emerged at Monday’s meeting of the Monaghan Municipal District which heard claims that the actions of an e-scooter user had been a contributory factor in a weekend road traffic collision in Monaghan Town which left a young conventional cyclist with injuries. The issue was raised by Sinn Féin’s Seán Conlon who recalled that, at a recent in-committee meeting between the MD and local Garda representatives led by Superintendent Pat O’Connell, the need had been raised for legislation in relation to the use of e- scooters and e-bikes, and for communication with local industry that employed migrant workers, a substantial element of whom used this mode of transportation.

“We realise that there is no legislation in force yet that creates a ban or a violation of the law regarding the use of e-scooters on footpaths and in pedestrianised areas, ” Councillor Conlon stated. “It is a great frustration and we all speak with the same voice on how there is an overdue need for legislation. ” The Sinn Féin representative said that the previous afternoon a conventional cyclist was in collision with a car in Monaghan Town in an incident directly attributable to the actions of a reckless and inconsiderate e-scooter user. These actions caused a vehicle to take diversionary action and an incident…