Safety Fears At Westmeath School Following E-Scooter Near Misses

Wednesday, 4 March 2026 09:06

The move comes after near collisions with e-scooters.

A Westmeath national school is concerned for pupils' safety.

It's after several near misses with e-scooters outside Scoil na gCeithre Maistri on the Brawny Road in Athlone.

Fianna Fail Councillor Frankie Keena says safety measures need to be put in before someone is seriously injured.

He's meeting with the principal of the school and a district engineer to discuss installing a safety ramp outside the school.

Councillor Keena says he's also aware of issues on the greenway:

A spokesperson from the Department of Transport

E-scooters are legal to use on public roads under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023. They are classed as a type of powered personal transporter (PPT) under the Road Traffic Acts. This means that, unlike mechanically propelled vehicles such as cars, trucks and buses, they do not require registration, taxation or insurance and their users are not required to hold a driver's licence. The regulations include limiting the maximum speed of an e-scooter to 20 km/hr; providing for regulation of safety equipment for their operation; and prohibiting their use on footpaths or for carrying passengers and by anyone under 16 years of age. Further information on e-scooter usage and requirements can be found on the gov . ie scooter webpage.

The safety of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users is of paramount importance when regulating the use of e-scooters and these regulations are vital to reduce road safety risks. The Department of Transport is currently examining the issue of mandating the wearing of helmets, hi-vis clothing and protective equipment for e-scooter and e-bikes, along with other road safety focussed measures.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) have launched an educational campaign to inform the public of the new e-scooter regulations and of safe e-scooter use on Irish roads:.

An Garda Síochána are currently enforcing e-scooter speed limits by using dynamometers, which measure the maximum speed an e-scooter can achieve. E-scooters which exceed the 20km/h speed limit during these tests may be confiscated. As with all road traffic law, enforcement is a matter for An Garda Síochána.

Department officials engage with An Garda Síochána on an ongoing basis with respect to enforcement of e-scooter regulations. My officials have asked them to provide any suggestions or changes to legislation that would assist them in e-scooter enforcement.

Regarding the installation of ramps, this process would come under the remit of the local authority.