His call comes as an alliance of five city authorities in the Netherlands – considered a global leader in cycling infrastructure – has called on the Dutch parliament to ban a number of high-speed electric bikes and scooters from using bicycle lanes, as well as increasing fines for travelling on footpaths.
The councillor for Galway City East says the local authority must take immediate action to address the growing public safety issue of supercharged e-bikes and e-scooters creating a nuisance on footpaths and other pedestrian areas.
“The current situation is a clear and immediate hazard for pedestrians, especially children, older people, and people with disabilities,” he said.
Forde says he will table a motion to the full local authority meeting scheduled next week, with two aims: firstly that Galway City Council urgently requires the Minister for Transport to introduce regulations requiring licensing, registration, and insurance for high-powered e-scooters and e-bikes, bringing them in line with other motorised vehicles; and, secondly, that council wardens and gardaí enforce rules against vehicles in pedestrianised areas – especially in the city centre and around Parkmore.
In May, the Garda Roads Unit purchased a number of e-scooter and e-bike speed testing kits from Dutch authorities. It is understood Gardaí in the western division covering Galway have one of these dynamometers which can check if electric bikes or scooters exceed the 25kmph maximum speed limit introduced last year.
“I am not opposed to e-scooters; they can be a useful and sustainable mode of transport. But what we are seeing right now is a free-for-all that is putting people at risk every day,” said Forde. “Without proper regulation and enforcement, it is only a matter of time before a serious tragedy occurs on our streets. We need national legislation urgently, and in the meantime, stronger local enforcement in Galway.”
Councillor Forde stressed that his motion is about balance. He wants to support new transport options, but not at the expense of public safety.
“Pedestrians must feel safe on footpaths and shared spaces,” he added.
