Wheelies in front of Garda patrol car among offences in Louth e-bike crackdown
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Gardaí attached to the Louth Roads Policing Unit carried out a targeted operation in Drogheda and Dundalk
Gardaí attached to the Louth Roads Policing Unit (RPU) seized 11 e-scooters and e-bikes during a targeted operation in Drogheda and Dundalk last week aimed at tackling the illegal use of the vehicles on public roads.
The enforcement operation resulted in the seizure of 11 vehicles for a range of alleged road traffic offences, including dangerous driving. Gardaí confirmed that prosecutions will now follow in relation to a number of the incidents detected during the operation.
One of the more notable incidents involved a rider on a Sur-Ron electric bike who was observed performing wheelies directly in front of a marked Garda patrol car. The rider was subsequently stopped a short time later by Garda members travelling in unmarked vehicles.
The majority of the vehicles were seized under Section 109A of the Road Traffic Act. Under the legislation, owners must make an application to the District Court if they wish to have a seized vehicle returned.
Gardaí also expressed concern about the age of many of those detected during the operation, with riders ranging from as young as 12 years old.
The current minimum legal age for riding an e-scooter is 16, with legislation expected to increase the minimum age to 18 in the future.
Gardaí warned that allowing young children to ride high-powered e-scooters and e-bikes poses significant safety risks, both to the riders themselves and to other road users.