Public parks in Fingal being ‘taken over by dangerous scramblers and e-bikes’
Public parks and green spaces in Fingal are being “taken over” by scramblers and e-bikes performing dangerous stunts, according to local councillors.
Councillor JK Onwumereh of Blanchardstown–Mulhuddart raised a motion at a local area meeting for Fingal County Council (FCC) asking to introduce a motorbike track to avoid more “life-altering” accidents.
“We need to accommodate this special interest in a safe and productive way in view of the rising cases of life-altering accidents involving scramblers and e-scooters,” the motion said.
Motorbike facilities in areas like Mulhuddart were shut down recently due to increasing insurance prices, according to a report from the council.
“Current facilities are inadequate and without proper facilities, they conveniently hide under the excuse of having no other option than to ride their scramblers in our parks, streets and residential areas,” Mr Onwumereh said.
“This is anti-social behaviour – there was an incident in Tyrrelstown which left a four-year-old girl seriously injured in a case of hit and run. We also had a fatality on Navan Road.”
Last year, cllr Onwumerah raised a motion on the same issue, calling on authorities to regulate the use of scramblers to ensure safety in public spaces.
“Their use has only increased since my last motion, and so have seizures by the gardaí – we had 164 seizures in Dublin in just the first four months of this year,” he said.
“The misuse of scramblers and e-bikes are on the increase, drivers have been seen on footpaths, disregarding traffic lights and speed limits, and performing dangerous stunts.
“The council needs to step in and develop suitable grounds for people to use and figure out a way to make insurance more affordable.”
FCC’s Senior Parks and Landscape Officer, Kevin Halpenny, said they are working with gardaí to tackle anti-social behaviour in public parks.
“We’re being challenged by this and we’re trying to respond to it, there’s a need for a more focused response,” he said.
He said that FCC had provided motorbike facilities at St Catherine’s Park in Lucan and Tolka Valley Regional Park.
“The Tolka Valley facility was being run by Mulhuddart Motocross Club. Unfortunately, due to insurance related issues, this facility has had to cease operating,” Mr Halpenny’s report said.
Councillors said that rising insurance prices had made such facilities “out of reach” for many residents.
Supporting the motion, Ongar councillor Angela Donnelly said: “It’s difficult to see how people are ever going to afford those insurance requirements.
“Having a motorcross in that area was positive. We have a massive problem with scramblers – it will be great to have somewhere they can go to do their tricks and daredevil stunts with the right equipment and safety measures.”
Castleknock councillor Helen Redwood added: “I’ve been seeing very dangerous activities on our roads – there was a scooter on its back wheel right beside my car and it was very frightening.
“I saw five bikes chasing after deer in Phoenix Park just last week.”
Blanchardstown–Mulhuddart councillor, John Walsh also supported the motion.
“This has been an absolute scourge on families here. At a time when we are trying to make these services more accessible, public parks and green spaces are being taken over by scramblers.”