The death of Grace Lynch in Finglas last weekend has sparked anger and calls for urgent action. The 16-year-old was struck by a scrambler bike as she crossed the Ratoath Road at a pedestrian crossing. An 18-year-old has since been charged with dangerous driving causing death.
Scrambler bikes are designed for recreational use in controlled, off-road spaces. But for years they have been a menace on the roads of some communities, ridden recklessly by youths with little or no regard for the safety of themselves or others. This is not a new problem. Crashes are particularly common in the aftermath of Christmas, suggesting some families believe these bikes are appropriate gifts for children. The way to address such attitudes is via legislation and enforcement.
It is puzzling to hear the Taoiseach and other members of the Government asserting their determination to expedite legislation. In fact, legislation has been in place for almost three years now in the form of the Road Traffic Act 2023.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has told the Oireachtas justice committee that section 35(A) of that Act allows the Minister of State for Transport, Seán Canney, to outlaw certain vehicles, and that the use of scrambler bikes on public roads and parks would be prohibited. He did not explain why the necessary regulation has not been implemented, but indicated that concerns persist over enforceability.
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Such concerns may be understandable. Over the past decade, the hazards posed by scramblers have been added to by the proliferation of e-scooters and electric bikes. The State and An Garda Síochána have struggled to implement a coherent and enforceable policy on issues such as underage riders, speed and power limits, and penalising behaviour such as riding on footpaths.
By comparison, banning scrambler bikes from public spaces appears relatively straightforward. It is a depressing reflection on political priorities that it has taken so long to put the necessary regulation in place, and that it took the tragic death of a young woman to concentrate minds.
