258 scrambler bikes seized in the last two years – Higgins

Efforts to crack down on the antisocial use of scramblers has led to the seizure of 258 scrambler bikes in the last two years, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Emer Higgins, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Mid West, has welcomed the seizures and is calling on parents to heed the Road Safety Authority’s recent advice that scramblers are not an appropriate Christmas present for children.

Deputy Higgins said, “Scramblers present a real danger to users, as evidenced by recent figures from the RSA that a significant amount of those who are injured in scrambler accidents are under the age of 18.

“The antisocial behaviour often associated with scrambler use can be very intimidating for communities, which is why I welcome that a large number of scramblers have been seized since the Gardaí were given enhanced seizure powers last year.

“A recent parliamentary question revealed to me that 258 scramblers have been seized nationally by An Garda Siochana since 2021, with 178 seized last year, and 80 seized this year so far.

“In terms of the Dublin picture, 99 scramblers were seized in the capital last year and 44 have been seized so far this year, which I hope leads to not only less scramblers on our roads and less anti-social behaviour, but also less fatal or serious accidents.

“Previously we have seen that the misuse of scramblers was extremely challenging for the Gardaí to police, something which my Fine Gael colleague in Clondalkin, Cllr. Kenneth Egan, has been doing great work in highlighting,” concluded Deputy Higgins.

Cllr. Egan said, “The sound of scramblers on our streets and in our parks has become all too familiar and, in my experience, they can be very intimidating for other members of the community. I really welcome that the enhanced seizure powers given to the Gardaí has led to 258 seizures since 2021.

“Scramblers are not toys. At best, they are intimidating and noisy and at worst, they can lead to serious injuries or fatalities. I would certainly be calling on parents to think twice before buying their child a scrambler or anything similar this Christmas,” concluded Cllr. Egan.