Call for ban on e-bikes in Ireland after death of teenager

Mohan Sinha
05 Dec 2025, 15:17 GMT+10

Following the death of her teenage son a fortnight back while he was riding an e-bike, the heartbroken mother has called for a ban on such vehicles
Sammy Hanrahan (18) from Ballybeg in Waterford city suffered severe injuries when the e-bike he was riding collided with a car on the Cork Road in Waterford City on the evening of November 16
He later died in Cork University Hospital

DUBLIN, Ireland: Following the death of her teenage son a fortnight back while he was riding an e-bike, the heartbroken mother has called for a ban on such vehicles.

Sammy Hanrahan (18) from Ballybeg in Waterford city suffered severe injuries when the e-bike he was riding collided with a car on the Cork Road in Waterford City on the evening of November 16. He later died in Cork University Hospital.

Speaking on local radio in Waterford, his mother, Jane Browne, said, "The tragedy has highlighted what is a growing and unregulated danger on the roads.

"E-bikes reach high speeds and offer no insurance, putting riders and other road users at risk. They should not be left on the road.

Her son had the bike for only over a week, and followed all safety protocols.

E-scooter-related brain injuries now account for over 25 percent of paediatric neurosurgical admissions in CHI at Temple Street in the past year, according to the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

According to Dr Irwin Gill, consultant paediatrician at CHI, around half of these children required intensive care, and almost half underwent emergency neurosurgery, with some left with permanent disabilities.

Sam Waide, chief executive of the RSA, said, "These findings are deeply concerning. E-scooters are not toys — they are powerful motorised vehicles, and the risks for children are severe.

He said that parents should not give e-scooters to children under 16 because they are unsafe and not legal. They explained that the campaign aims to protect children from avoidable harm and ensure parents understand the potential risks.