Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is a clear need for significant investment in cycleways, some of which are entering a state of disrepair, particularly in urban areas. In addition, there is insufficient co-ordination among the various parties when road construction projects are under way where, for instance, different contractors might be digging different sections of roadway. The cyclist is often forgotten. The NTA has responsibility for oversight and co-ordination, but the Minister of State must set out strong policy positions on the protection of cyclists, encouraging the use of cycleways and getting more people to use bicycles as a method of transit. The research clearly highlights the very real difficulties cyclists face on a daily basis. Moreover, it has found that many accidents and incidents go unreported. In other hands, there is a problem that is identified and measured but also a greater problem that is not being identified in the statistics because of under-reporting.

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