Councillor Catherine Biddy Walsh Takes the Wheel — and a New View — on E-Scooters

Wexford Councillor Catherine “Biddy” Walsh, long known for her concerns around electric scooters and public footpath safety, has had a change of heart — after taking one for a spin herself.

The experience came during a recent Wexford County Council Active Travel initiative, which invited local councillors to test electric bikes and scooters as part of a broader consultation on mobility and infrastructure improvements. “It wouldn’t have been a choice I’d have made myself,” Cllr Walsh admitted. “I’ve always been very concerned about scooters on footpaths and how they affect older people who are nervous about walking in town. But I had the opportunity to try one — and I absolutely loved it.” Despite feeling nervous the night before, Cllr Walsh donned a helmet and high-vis vest and joined council colleagues on a trial route around Newtown Road and Beechlawn. She described the experience as "eye-opening" and now sees scooters and e-bikes in a new light — particularly the challenges their users face navigating traffic and road-sharing with motorists. “As a driver, I now have a better understanding of what cyclists and scooter users are dealing with. There’s a lot to think about — where they fit in the lane, how much room to give — and it made me realise just how important the Council’s Active Travel plans really are.” Cllr. Walsh reiterated the importance of education and enforcement, saying the issue isn't the scooters themselves but how they are used. She called on the government to improve regulation and training, including possibly integrating rules of the road into user apps for shared scooter schemes. While she acknowledges Sunday traffic was lighter, she’s cautiously optimistic that upcoming changes — including new routes starting at the hospital roundabout and extending through Beechlawn — will slow traffic and improve safety for children and families commuting to school. “We all need to start following the rules again — people are driving over roundabouts and not stopping at signs. But with the plans in place and the work Wexford County Council is doing, I think we’re heading in the right direction. I’ve changed my mind.” [audio mp3="https://www.southeastradio.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Biddy-RAW-1.mp3"][/audio]