Banning people under the age of 16 from e-scooters will stop teenagers “showing off” on them, according to a veteran scooter user.

The Department of Transport has confirmed that new laws regulating the use of e-scooters will include an age limit – banning anyone under the age of 16 from using them.

On Lunchtime Live, 65-year-old John said he has been using an e-scooter for the last “five or six years”.

“I’m not 16, so I have a bit of cop on [on the e-scooter],” he said.

“A young one of 16 on an e-scooter is using it to show off – I'm using it to get from point A to point B. 

“Five or six years I’ve been using it, and I never had any incidents at all with it.” 

John still owns a car, but said he prefers to use an e-scooter to travel. 

“I prefer [using the e-scooter] on the footpath than the road because the footpaths are in better condition,” he explained.  

“But as I said, I’m not 16, I'm not some stupid young skater showing off.” 

'Most haven't got the cop on'

John agreed some teenagers might use an e-scooter simply for transport, but “most of them haven't got the cop on”. 

“Some of them have sense, but some of them haven’t got to the stage where they have that bit of cop on,” he said. 

“If they have a crowd around them on a crowd watching them, they tend to show off.” 

Rear view of an e-scooter in motion kicking up the dirt. Image: Leonora May / Alamy Stock Photo

Waterford native Rosemary said she would welcome the ban on e-scooters for 16-year-olds if she thought it would actually work. 

“There’s not many Gardaí on the beat going around these days,” she said. 

“So, if you see someone dangerously on a footpath with an e-scooter under 16, you’re not going to confront them. 

“By the time you get the Gardaí out too, they’ll be gone.” 

Hi-vis jackets on e-scooters

Rosemary said there are more effective ways to make e-scooters safer for both those who use them and others on the road, such as requiring them to wear a helmet and hi-vis jacket. 

“I live in the country, and I see some people heading home on their e-scooters from work with not a hi-vis in sight or a helmet,” she said. 

“E-scooters are dangerous – they're a step down from a scooter. 

“They’re fantastic for getting people from A to B, but they just need to be regulated.” 

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