Halt of e-scooter sales by some retailers welcomed

A decision by online retailers Amazon and AliExpress to stop selling e-scooters that do not comply with Irish law has been met with approval from several politicians. The move addresses concerns about the safety and legality of e-scooters, which are subject to regulations requiring users to be at least 16 years old and devices on public roads to have a design speed not exceeding 20km/h. Fine Gael's Michael Murphy urged all retailers to follow the example set by Amazon and AliExpress, calling for the removal of non-compliant e-scooters from sale. Murphy noted that Amazon has already removed an electric foldable e-scooter from its platform and is investigating the matter. He emphasized that retailers must accept responsibility for how they market and sell these devices, particularly those marketed at children or capable of exceeding legal speed limits. Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman also commended the retailers' action, urging others to do the same. He highlighted that e-scooters suitable for children as young as six, capable of reaching 16km/h, are still available in toy shops, suggesting these vehicles should be banned outright. Earlier this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin indicated a leaning towards a complete ban, a sentiment echoed by Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly. Concerns about traumatic brain injuries sustained by young e-scooter users have also been raised by Children's Health Ireland. However, public policy adviser Oisín Coghlan criticized the idea of an outright ban, calling it a "lazy admission of failure" by the government to enforce current rules. Coghlan, who personally experienced a severe concussion from a cycling accident, argued that a total ban would be an "overreach" and an admission that politicians cannot manage their own regulations. He believes such a ban would unfairly punish the 4% of commuters who use e-scooters responsibly to reduce congestion, supplement public transport, or commute to work.

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today you could still go into a toy shop and buy an e-scooter for a child as young as six that is capable of travelling up to 16km/h. These vehicles should be banned outright.