Joe Cross, from the Waterside, said he doesn’t think a ban is the answer. “I don't think they should be banned. They’re a useful way of getting around, a lot of people use them to get to work, which takes traffic off the road. But I don’t know… maybe there should be better lanes for them. There should be some sort of restraint or regulation. If someone is driving recklessly, they should be pulled up about it. “I wouldn’t ban them, but I think they should be regulated.” Joe added that e‑scooters should stay on cycle lanes and have no place on the roads. “It’s bad enough driving around in a car on those roads,” he said.placeholder image
Joe Cross, from the Waterside, said he doesn’t think a ban is the answer. “I don't think they should be banned. They’re a useful way of getting around, a lot of people use them to get to work, which takes traffic off the road. But I don’t know… maybe there should be better lanes for them. There should be some sort of restraint or regulation. If someone is driving recklessly, they should be pulled up about it. “I wouldn’t ban them, but I think they should be regulated.” Joe added that e‑scooters should stay on cycle lanes and have no place on the roads. “It’s bad enough driving around in a car on those roads,” he said.

‘They’re the way forward’ or ‘too dangerous’? people in Derry on e‑scooter rise

By Jack Tibbetts and Joshua Kingh
Published 29th Apr 2026, 12:14 BST

People in Derry have been sharing their views on the growing number of e‑scooters in the city and whether they should be banned or simply subject to stricter regulations.

Passersby in Guildhall Square were asked by The Journal to share their beliefs.

Photos from Joshua Kingh.

Ruari McSorley from Park Village said e‑scooters don’t affect him personally, but he sees no reason to ban them. “I live in the countryside there wouldn’t be too much interrupting my life but if that’s what people want to do, that’s one way of getting about,” he said.

5. Ruari McSorley

Ruari McSorley from Park Village said e‑scooters don’t affect him personally, but he sees no reason to ban them. “I live in the countryside there wouldn’t be too much interrupting my life but if that’s what people want to do, that’s one way of getting about,” he said. Photo: Joshua Kingh

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Culmore woman Lisa Heaney believes e‑scooters are the way forward and that people will simply have to adapt to them. “I think they are the way forward. A lot of people will probably end up using e‑scooters. They're a good, quick and easy way to get around town. I definitely don’t think they should be banned. “I do think they can be dangerous, but it’s just something new. People need to get used to them, and those using e‑scooters need to be aware of pedestrians. It’s about everyone having a bit of consideration. “In pedestrianised areas, there should be a speed limit.”

6. Lisa Heaney

Culmore woman Lisa Heaney believes e‑scooters are the way forward and that people will simply have to adapt to them. “I think they are the way forward. A lot of people will probably end up using e‑scooters. They're a good, quick and easy way to get around town. I definitely don’t think they should be banned. “I do think they can be dangerous, but it’s just something new. People need to get used to them, and those using e‑scooters need to be aware of pedestrians. It’s about everyone having a bit of consideration. “In pedestrianised areas, there should be a speed limit.” Photo: Jack Tibbetts

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Shane Gallagher from Donegal, however, believes e‑scooters should be banned but for a very different reason. “I think people should walk more. It’s not good for health reasons. Hard to beat plain and simple walking,” he said.

7. Shane Gallagher

Shane Gallagher from Donegal, however, believes e‑scooters should be banned but for a very different reason. “I think people should walk more. It’s not good for health reasons. Hard to beat plain and simple walking,” he said. Photo: Jack Tibbetts

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