Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has welcomed confirmation that local gardaí finally feel empowered to stop and seize after the recent passage of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023.

Teachta Crowe said that there has been too many accidents and close calls involving scrambler bikes tearing through our parks and screaming down our streets with no thought to the safety and wellbeing of others.

Teachta Crowe said:

“I was glad to hear from local garda representatives at last week’s Joint Policing Committee meeting that the gardaí now feel empowered to seize scrambler bikes being used dangerously in public areas. For too long, they felt their hands were tied, particularly when dealing with minors riding the bikes.

“We have seen too many accidents and close calls involving scrambler bikes tearing through our parks and screaming down our streets with no thought to the safety and wellbeing of others. Only a fortnight ago, an elderly women was struck down and hospitalised after being mowed down by a hit and run scrambler in Killinarden.

“The instances of these events have only grown since Christmas. These bikes are not toys and now the gardaí will be seizing and destroying any that are used dangerously or in other criminal behaviour.

“Local gardaí informed me that there will be an increased garda presence, both uniformed and plain clothes, in our public spaces and parks to stem the dangerous use of these vehicles which have no place on playing fields or next to playgrounds, no more than any car or motorbike would.”