Government to examine licensing and sale of scrambler bikes amid crackdown

Ministers say a new ban on scramblers in public spaces will remove ambiguity for gardaí and strengthen enforcement

Plans to ban scramblers on public roads, in carparks, and in public parks were brought to Cabinet. FIle picture

The Government will examine whether further measures need to be taken regarding the licensing and sale of scrambler bikes to the public as part of a “crackdown” on the vehicles.

Transport minister Darragh O’Brien conceded that a new ban on the use of scramblers on public roads and in public areas is a direct Government response to the death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch earlier this month.

However, he admitted he “did not know” if implementing parts of the 2023 Road Traffic Act that had yet to be operationalised “would have stopped that tragic event and saved Grace’s life”.

Ms Lynch died following an accident involving a scrambler bike in Finglas, north Dublin, last week.

Under the Road Traffic Act 2023, it is illegal to drive scramblers dangerously on public roads or drive them without tax and insurance. It also gives gardaí powers to stop those who are driving scramblers dangerously and to seize them.

However, regulations to prohibit certain vehicles on certain roads were never enacted.

Cabinet approved “Grace’s Law” on Wednesday, with Mr O’Brien now set to bring plans back to Cabinet within weeks to ban scrambler bikes in public places, including roads, parks, and carparks.

Earlier this week, Fianna Fáil TD Paul McAuliffe and Sinn Féin TD Paul Donnelly told the Irish Examiner gardaí are not pursuing or chasing the vehicles.

Mr O’Brien said the changes he is bringing in will “remove ambiguity” for gardaí as it will make all scramblers on public roads illegal. Junior transport minister Sean Canney said currently gardaí must “check” if they are taxed and insured.

However, he said pursuit is an “operational matter for the gardaí”.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

When asked if the Government would consider a ban on the sale of scrambler bikes to people using them for reasons other than farming, Mr Canney said further changes will be examined.

“The first job we have to do here is to make sure everybody is clear that scramblers are banned off all public roads and public spaces,” he said.

“We will be looking at other issues in terms of licensing them for sports clubs or whatever. That will all come in afterwards. We're [also] looking at the sale of e-scooters. 

"No parent should contemplate buying any scooter or any machine like that, because [under] rules and regulations, it's illegal to have to drive them under 16.

“I will be looking at the area of sale and licensing because we need to just tie it all down so people are responsible for their actions.” 

Mr O’Brien added: “We'll look at retailers in the round as part of the regulation.

“First and foremost, the most critical thing is to get the ban in. Certain scramblers are used for sporting purposes, for sporting reasons, we've got to work through that.” 

There will also be provisions to confiscate and destroy scrambler bikes.