The Government will decide within weeks on the imposition of fixed penalty fines for errant cyclists, but is not considering a registration system for bicycles or their users.
That is according to Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe who joined the gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in Dublin Port on Monday, to mark the start of National Bike Week.
Mr Donohoe said more than 10,000 cyclists come in and out of Dublin city centre each day and their attitude “makes a huge difference to making the road safer”.
He said he was looking “ at the role that fixed charge notices could play in making the road safer for cyclists and other road users”.
A fixed penalty notice system would operate similarly to that in place for motorists, giving errant cyclists a fixed charge fine, with the possibility of a larger fine on court conviction, but would not involve a points system as cyclists are not required to have licenses.
“That is something which I will be making a final decision on in the coming weeks”, Mr Donohoe said. However, he said he was not considering registration for bicycles or licenses for their users.
Mr Donohoe was in Dublin Port to jointly launch a safety campaign targeting cyclists and truck drivers. The aim of the campaign is to highlight the existence of the blind spots around trucks.
Blind Spots
A truck has significant blind spots that present a danger to vulnerable road users and a driver’s field of vision, within a cab, is limited. Mr Donohoe said the area immediately in front, behind and to the left of the vehicle is often hidden from view and cyclists and pedestrians are at an increased risk of being struck.
RSA chief executive Moyagh Murdock said the message was simple: “If you cannot see the driver, the driver cannot see you. Cyclists need to be aware of the existence of the ‘danger zone’ on trucks and should never ride along the kerb side of a truck, especially if it’s turning left.
“Truck drivers too need to be aware of the fact that the mirrors on their cab will not always give them a total view of any cyclists that may be riding alongside or behind the vehicle. So drivers should lookout for cyclists at junctions and especially when turning left.”
Chief Superintendent Mark Curran of Garda National Traffic Bureau said cycling was generally a very safe activity, “a popular mode of transport and a great way to keep fit”, but he said there were dangers of being in close proximity to large vehicles at junctions and when turning left.
“A new video released today really shows the difficulties that drivers of large vehicles face and as said already if you can’t see the driver, the driver cannot see you.”
To mark National Bike Week 13th - 21st June the authority has developed a 30 second video to highlight the danger of the blind spot on trucks.
