Gardaí add two e-bikes to force's complement of six in three years

Figures provided to Cork South Central TD Seamus McGrath by the minister for justice Jim O'Callaghan show that while An Garda Síochána currently has 726 mountain bikes in operation, there are just eight electric bicycles. File picture: Marc O'Sullican/Collins

An Garda Síochána is reviewing a pilot scheme that saw just two e-bikes added to the six bikes initially introduced three years ago.

In August 2023, An Garda Síochána announced a pilot of six e-bikes to be used in Dublin, saying the intention was to expand use to Cork. 

The six electric bicycles, made by three different manufacturers, are now in use by gardaí trained and qualified as pedal cyclists and attached to Store Street and Pearse Street Garda Stations in Dublin’s city centre.

At the time, a garda statement said that "moving over to the use of electric bicycles has several benefits as a more environmentally friendly solution and will further strengthen the existing high-visibility bicycle patrols in operation across the city".

"Their use will allow gardaí to cover larger areas for longer periods of time as the e-bikes owned by An Garda Síochána are up to 250w, can operate up to 25kmph and have a motor that operates when pedalling in a power-assisted role."

However, figures provided to Cork South Central TD Seamus McGrath by the minister for justice Jim O'Callaghan show that while An Garda Síochána currently has 726 mountain bikes in operation, there are just eight electric bicycles.

Almost three years on, the number of e-bikes in operation has increased by just two. The figures show that six of the eight e-bikes are currently assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan Region, with the remaining two located at the Garda College in Templemore.

"To discover that there are still only eight Garda e-bikes in use nationwide almost three years later is disappointing," Deputy McGrath said. Mr McGrath said e-bikes could play an important role in supporting frontline policing and increasing Garda visibility.

"E-bikes allow gardaí to cover larger areas, spend longer on patrol, and maintain a highly visible presence in our communities. They are particularly suited to busy urban centres, parks, greenways and areas where patrol cars can struggle to access quickly."

Deputy McGrath called for a review to be concluded without delay.

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"A major rollout of e-bikes would be a practical and cost-effective way of supporting frontline policing efforts and increasing Garda visibility in our communities."

A spokesperson for the force said that it does not respond to third-party remarks, but added: "Of the eight e-bikes currently deployed, six are assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), and two are allocated to the Garda College. 

"A comprehensive review of this pilot is currently underway. Following completion of the assessment process, consideration will be given to the potential rollout of the e-bike programme to other locations across the country."

• Paul Hosford, deputy political editor