Laois council says signs banning e-scooters on footpaths aren't in their manual

A councillor refused to accept the council’s response that signs banning e-scooters on footpaths aren’t in their Traffic Signs Manual.  

Independent Councillor Aidan Mullins placed a motion at the monthly meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District in relation to the issue. 

He asked “that Laois County Council erect public signs on streets in towns in the Municipal District indicating that the use of e-scooters on footpaths is illegal.” 

In response to the motion, Assistant Engineer John Purcell stated that “there is no regulatory sign in the Traffic Signs Manual indicating that e-scooters are prohibited to use footpaths. The road traffic regulations 2024 provides that signs for bicycle use will also apply to e-scooters.”

Cllr Mullins said “it is only now since May illegal to use e-scooters on footpaths.” He asked who produces the manual used by the council. 

Senior Executive Engineer Philip McVeigh said the Department of Transport produced the manual. 

Cllr Mullins said “there is nothing preventing the council putting up this signage” despite their absence from the manual. He told the meeting that it was a safety issue and said there have already been a few incidents involving e-scooters on paths in Portarlington. 

According to Cllr Mullins, they are being driven at speeds of up to 25kph on footpaths by people including children who aren’t wearing protective helmets. 

“At least if we had signs up we could say to the individuals, did you not see the sign,” he explained. 

Cllr Mullins said he would take the issue up with the assistant engineer. 

Independent Cllr Ben Brennan claimed e-scooter users are “up on the path the whole time” in Graiguecullen. He said the scooters are silent so people don’t notice them coming towards them. 

“There is after being a couple of accidents,” he told the meeting. 

He seconded Cllr Mullin’s motion at the meeting.