Issue 249 - East Down BT24 • BT30 • BT31 • BT33
PCSP Guidelines for E-Scooter Use
Newry, Mourne, and Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) is issuing a reminder to residents and visitors regarding the current legalities surrounding the use of electric scooters (E-scooters) in our district.
Deputy Chairperson, Councillor David Lee-Surginor pictured with winning pupils from the annual Environmental Youth Speak competition including junior winner Aoibhinn Cunningham from St Malachy’s Primary School, Castlewellan; Paddy Keenan from St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook, senior winner. Runners up in the junior section Aralynn O’Hare, St Jospeh’s Primary School, Carnacaville and Olivia Tumilty, St Colman’s Primary School, Saval. Runners up in the Senior section Ella McKee, Kilkeel High School, Emma Hearne, Our Lady’s Grammar school and Eva Kelly, Sacred Heart Grammar school.
Environmental Youth Speak Competition Winners
Winning pupils from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s annual Environmental Youth Speak competition attended a special awards ceremony at the Downshire Council Offices recently. Fourteen pupils from primary and secondary schools were selected from forty online submissions to present their speeches in front of a three-person panel. The annual competition, organised each year by Council
aims to encourage debate on sustainability issues, culminates with the crowning of the Junior and Senior Environmental Youth Speak Champions 2025. Ten primary school pupils and four
secondary pupils were selected to perform their speeches in person at the celebration event. Primary school pupils spoke on the topic ‘Welcome to the World of Waste Wizardry’; ‘Lesson One: Making
Our Waste Disappear’, while Secondary schools were asked to speak on ‘Back to the Future. Learning from the Past to Reduce Our Carbon Footprint’.
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As the popularity of electric scooters continues to rise due to their convenience, it is important for users to be aware of the restrictions in place. While E-scooters are available for purchase, it is crucial to understand that they are currently illegal to use on public roads, pavements, or in public spaces across the district. Under current legislation, E-scooters are not recognised as a form of transport and are not approved for on-road use. This means that riding an E-scooter in public areas, including pavements, parks, or other public spaces, is against the law. E-scooters are treated as motor vehicles but do not generally meet the necessary construction and safety standards required for use on the
road. As such, they are restricted to offroad use only and can only be used legally on private property, with the permission of the landowner. Newry, Mourne and Down PCSP strongly encourages parents and young people to familiarise themselves with these legal requirements before purchasing or using an E-scooter. The use of these vehicles, if not properly regulated, poses significant risks to the rider and to members of the public, particularly due to the high speeds and lack of safety features commonly associated with these devices. For more information or enquiries please contact Newry, Mourne and Down PCSP at PCSP@nmandd. org.