*Senator Martin Conway in Ennis. Photograph: John Mangan
Senator Martin Conway has called for E-Scooters to be banned from footpaths, admitting that he has found dealing with the electric vehicle a “frightening” experience.
While the Ennistymon Senator, who is visually impaired, has welcomed legislation to allow e-scooters on Irish roads, he has called on Minister Hildegarde Naughton and Minister Eamon Ryan to include added safety measures and protection for the disabled and elderly.
Senator Martin Conway said, “As somebody with impaired vision, it is quite frightening, as it is for older people and others with impairments and disabilities, to have e-scooters flying by on footpaths. I have regularly had narrow escapes with scooters crossing my pathway.
“While I welcome the use of e-scooters as an eco-friendly transport, we must remember that the blind and visually-impaired community are the ‘original greens’ – we assess public transport and walk to get from A to B more than most.
“I fully support the joint call by NCBI, Irish Wheelchair Association and Irish Guide Dogs for the blind on the need to ban scooters from footpaths & shared spaces, the need for audio alert system and proper parking infrastructure for scooters. We should be leaders in this country in terms of e-scooters ensuring that we do not disable the independence of people.”
