Cork Councillor Noel O’Flynn has said Grace’s Law marks an important step in tackling the use of illegal scramblers, but warned that the key issue going forward will be enforcement, reports Breaking News.
O’Flynn said the growing use of scramblers and off-road bikes in residential areas across Cork and other parts of the country is becoming a serious concern for communities, reports Breaking News.
He said the legislation sends a clear message that such vehicles have no place on public roads, footpaths, parks, greenways or housing estates, reports Breaking News.
“For years, communities across Cork have had to endure dangerous and reckless scrambler activity in public spaces. Families should be able to use parks, estates and public walkways safely without fear of serious injury or intimidation,” O’Flynn said, reports Breaking News.
He added that while the law is welcome, enforcement remains the main challenge, reports Breaking News.
O’Flynn said gardaí must be supported with practical, intelligence-led enforcement measures rather than being put in situations involving dangerous high-speed pursuits through residential areas, particularly where underage riders are involved, reports Breaking News.
He said such pursuits create risks not only for the public and gardaí, but also for the young riders themselves, reports Breaking News.
“The focus now must be on modern, evidence-based enforcement,” he said, reports Breaking News.
The councillor called for a coordinated approach that could include CCTV coverage in hotspot locations, mobile camera units, and the use of drones for evidence gathering, reports Breaking News.
He also highlighted what he described as an important role for parental responsibility, saying that adults must be held accountable if they are facilitating illegal scrambler use by minors, reports Breaking News.
“These vehicles are not toys. Children under 16 cannot legally hold motorcycle licences in Ireland. If underage riders are operating scramblers illegally through public estates and roads, adults are facilitating it somewhere along the chain,” he said, reports Breaking News.
O’Flynn suggested Cork could be used as a national pilot area for a more modern scrambler enforcement strategy combining policing, technology and community cooperation, reports Breaking News.
He said the aim should be to improve safety in communities while also supporting safer, legal alternatives for young people interested in motorsport, reports Breaking News.
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