Four people have died and 59 others have suffered serious injuries in road traffic incidents involving scrambler bikes since January 2021, according to figures that will be presented to TDs and Senators today.
The statistics, which cover the period from January 2021 to June 2026, will be discussed at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration as members examine the growing public safety concerns surrounding the use of scrambler bikes.
Of the four fatalities recorded during the period, two were not riding scramblers. The 15 non-user casualties who sustained serious injuries included pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and passengers. Overall, 53% of those killed or seriously injured were male, while almost six in ten were aged 25 years or younger.
Among scrambler riders, 46 users either died or sustained serious injuries. Every one of those casualties was male, with three-quarters aged 25 or under, highlighting the disproportionate impact on young men.
The committee will hear evidence from Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, representatives of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), the Irish Motorcycle Association, the Irish Road Victims Association, and Siobhán and Martin Lynch, whose 16-year-old daughter Grace was killed after being struck by a scrambler bike in Dublin earlier this year.
The RSA is expected to outline the latest casualty figures and provide details of a new social media campaign promoting awareness of Grace's Law. Introduced in April following Grace Lynch's death, the legislation makes the use of scrambler bikes in all public places illegal. The campaign aims to increase public understanding of the law and encourage compliance.
In their submission to the committee, Siobhán and Martin Lynch are expected to describe the misuse of scramblers, e-scooters and e-bikes as "a scourge to this country for years", warning that the problem is continuing to worsen. They will urge the Government to provide gardaí with modern vehicles and equipment to improve enforcement and to strengthen legal protections for officers carrying out their duties. They also believe responsibility should rest with those who refuse to stop for gardaí or attempt to flee from officers.
The couple are also expected to advocate for the establishment of a dedicated off-road policing unit to tackle the illegal use of scramblers more effectively.
Commissioner Kelly is expected to tell the committee that the unlawful use of scrambler bikes presents a significant challenge for public, community and road safety. While describing Grace's Law as an important step forward in addressing the misuse of off-road motorcycles, he is expected to stress that enforcement alone will not solve the issue.
Instead, he will argue that the most effective response will combine prevention, education, community engagement and targeted enforcement. He is also expected to emphasise that Garda operations must protect local communities while ensuring the safety of officers, scrambler riders, other road users and the wider public.
