Revealed: Less than 100 fines in Galway for e-scooter driving on footpaths since 2024
Less than 100 fines have been issued to e-scooters driving on footpaths in Galway over the nearly two years since new legislation was introduced, the Irish Independent can reveal.
Data from the Gardaí Galway Division show that a total of 71 fines were issued to e-scooter riders in Galway city and county since legislation banning them from footpaths came into force in May 2024.
The legislation stipulates that e-scooter riders must be 16 years of age or older and remain under a 20kmh speed limit when riding. Additionally, they cannot carry passengers and must remain off footpaths. E-scooters are permitted on the road, adhering to car rules like driving on the left side, and can travel on bus and cycle lanes.
Galway City Councillor Alan Cheevers said that the number of fines is only the “tip of the iceberg” in terms of the larger dangers e-scooters pose.
Following a resident complaint of a dangerous interaction with a young e-scooter driver, he called for a “more aggressive” approach to this issue.
“We need to look into it more and see a more aggressive approach on this,” Cllr Cheevers told the Irish Independent. “I think the Garda needs to be more proactive.”
In addition to getting wheels off footpaths, Cllr Cheevers highlighted the age of e-scooter drivers as well.
“There are people under 16 on motorised e-scooters around the city that shouldn't be on these e-scooters, and they need to be apprehended. They need to be confiscated and taken off them.”
Over the course of the year, gardaí confiscated a number of e-scooters in Galway, primarily for their speed and power capacity.
At a Galway City Council meeting in September 2025, Councillor Shane Forde also called for additional signage with a focus on areas like Parkmore and the Renmore Railway.