Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said he would support an outright ban on e-scooters on Irish roads [1].
The position of Ireland's top police officer signals a potential shift in national transport policy as safety concerns mount regarding micromobility. If implemented, such a ban would remove thousands of electric scooters from city streets and rural roads to mitigate accidents and traffic disruptions.
Kelly based his stance on the conduct of people using the devices. He said there is just so much bad behaviour [2]. The commissioner said that the prevalence of unsafe habits among riders has created a significant risk to public safety on the road network [1].
This law enforcement perspective aligns with recent comments from the executive branch of the Irish government. The Taoiseach said he is leaning towards a full ban on the public use of e-scooters [1].
The push for a ban comes amid ongoing debates over how to regulate the rapid rise of e-scooters. While some advocates argue for better infrastructure and stricter enforcement of existing rules, the Garda Commissioner said that the level of rider misconduct may be too high to manage through regulation alone [1].
Kelly's support for a total prohibition emphasizes a preference for road safety over the convenience of electric micromobility. The police chief's testimony underscores a growing friction between the adoption of new transport technology and the ability of authorities to ensure the safety of all road users [2].
“"I would absolutely support an outright ban on e‑scooters on Irish roads."”
The alignment between the Garda Commissioner and the Taoiseach suggests that Ireland may move toward a restrictive regulatory model rather than a permissive one. By prioritizing the elimination of 'bad behaviour' over the integration of e-scooters, the government is signaling that public safety risks currently outweigh the environmental and urban mobility benefits of electric scooters.
