Electric scooters creating fear for walkers in Laois

A councillor claimed electric scooters were leading to people being afraid to go walking.

Fine Gael Cllr Willie Aird wanted to know whether or not scooters would be permitted on a newly approved walking and cycling track for Portlaoise. 

“Will they be allowed to use this because there is definitely out there, I get it from people at the moment… that they are afraid walking. These are so quiet that they’ll just whiz by. They are doing 20, 25 miles per hour some of these and people are nervous of them,” he said. 

Sinn Fein Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said it was illegal to ride scooters on public roads. 

“The current situation is that there is no legislation in place to take them off the road,” said Cllr Dwane Stanley. 

She said this was despite Sinn Fein Deputy Brian Stanley receiving a letter from a Minister stating that “as we speak it is actually illegal to have them on the road.”

“It is a serious issue and we are also aware of some people who have been knocked down,” she said. 

Cllr Dwane Stanley said she has seen three people riding on a scooter at the one time. She said none of them were wearing helmets. She described the behaviour as “absolutely lethal” and said legislation was needed. 

Sinn Fein Cllr Aidan Mullins said he had previously requested signage asking that they not be permitted on footpaths.

“The sooner we get these regulations the better,” he stated. 

The issue was discussed at the latest monthly meeting of Laois County Council.