Bill aims to tackle scrambler bike issue scourge 

A NORTHSIDE TD believes that a bill being brought forward by her party to the Dáil will help curb the problem of the illegal use of scrambler bikes in parks and public areas.

Sinn Féin’s Road Traffic (Quads and Scramblers Bill) 2017 aims to give gardaí the power to stop individuals using scrambler bikes in public parks or unused spaces.

It will also give them the powers to impound scrambler bikes or quad bikes that are used illegally on private or public property. Dublin Bay North TD Denise Mitchell (SF) said residents at Joint Policing Committee meetings with the gardaí are constantly raising the issue. 

“Residents are sick and tired of the noise of scramblers being driven through local green spaces and parks at all hours of the day and night,” she said.  

“We also have situations where local sports teams are showing up to play a match only to find the pitch has been torn up by people riding scramblers.

“Unfortunately, the gardaí are limited in how to tackle the problem.” 

Deputy Mitchell said she was very conscious of a number of tragic incidents involving scrambler bikes in recent years. 

“This is about keeping those who use scrambler bikes and the general public safe,” she said. 

“We want to ensure our local parks are open for use by families and sports teams. 

“Hopefully it will also see more scrambler owners joining scrambler clubs where these bikes can be used legally and in a safe environment.”

Madeleine Ebbs, who works in the community development section of Dublin City Council, said the scrambler bikes issue in Northside parks and green sapces is a “huge problem”. 

“Parents are bringing kids to football matches in these parks and are seeing them being cancelled because of the damage to the pitches caused by scrambler bikes,” Ms Ebbs told Northside People.

“It’s very frustrating because we are trying to promote sport for kids in the community but it’s very difficult when these green spaces are being destroyed.

“There was an incident on the Oscar Traynor Road three weeks ago when a football coach spent an afternoon marking pitches and they were then destroyed by kids on scrambler bikes.

“This is an ongoing problem. Our community development section is constantly working with sports clubs on this issue. 

“I would be very supportive of the bill that is being brought forward by Sinn Féin and am delighted that efforts are being made to solve this issue.”

In recent years Ms Ebbs has been involved in the  Darndale Gateway project.  The initiative sees people with an interest in their environment engaging with locals to improve green spaces in the community. 

“It proved very successful although it hasn’t totally eradicated the problem of scrambler bikes,” she added.