COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

QUESTION NO. 1

QUESTION: Councillor B. Bonner

Residents of North Clondalkin are interested in developing a scrambler park in order to address the serious problem of young people riding scrambler motorbikes on parks and roadways there.To ask the Chief Executive what assistance can be given to them by the council?

REPLY:

The use of all motor vehicles including motorbikes is regulated by law. Vehicles are required to be taxed and insured, drivers are required to hold an appropriate licence or permit and are required to abide by the Rules of the Road when using them in a public place. The enforcement of the law is a matter for An Garda Síochána.

The 2011 Bye-laws for Parks and Open Spaces contain specific provisions prohibiting the use of motorbikes, scramblers and quad motorcycles in public parks and open spaces under Section 3 - Traffic. 

3.1.       Save with the permission of the Council, no person shall bring into a Park any Mechanically Propelled Vehicle which includes for the avoidance of doubt motorcycles, motor-cross / quad bikes or other powered vehicles. Such vehicles may be removed from the park / open space by An Garda Siochána.

 3.2.      Where a Mechanically Propelled Vehicle is permitted access to a Park (e.g. Council fleet, commercial suppliers), the vehicle shall be driven carefully subject to a maximum speed limit of 20kph on the authorised routes within thePark, other than where expressly permitted by the Council.

 3.3       A Mechanically Propelled Vehicle shall be parked in car parks, where provided, or in such places as may be set aside from time to time as temporary parking places.

Other than works vehicles and in relation to specific events, all vehicular use is prohibited. These provision were specifically included as a result of the many complaints and representations received from the Elected Members and the general public expressing great concern about public safety, noise and nuisance arising from the irresponsible and, in many cases, illegal use of these vehicles in parks and open spaces.

Amongst the many reasons public parks and open spaces are provided and people use them is that they provide an opportunity to get away from the noise and bustle of city living and enjoy contact with nature. Scrambler motorcycles, when in use, generate significant noise of a particular nature, which can be heard over a wide area. Many people find the noise to be extremely irritating, in particular, where the activity takes place over several hours.

The provision of a scrambler park would not be considered appropriate in a public park or open space and the Public Realm Division has no plans or proposal for the provision of such a facility. 

There are a number of private clubs and organisations catering for this type of activity in an organised and responsible manner. Young people interested in participating in this sport should make contact with organisations such as Motocross.ie who cater for this type of activity.