Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would first like to join Deputy Jim O'Callaghan in expressing my sympathy to the family of Harry Boland, who as he says was the sixth cyclist killed on the roads this year. I thank him for raising this issue, which is a very serious one to which we are paying a great deal of attention, and we acknowledge the need for improvements in this area.

My highest priority in all areas of transport is safety. Tragically, many lives are lost on our roads each year, with 55 people killed to date in road traffic incidents in 2018. That figure includes the six cyclists to whom Deputy O'Callaghan referred.

We have made a great deal of progress in recent years, and 2017 saw the lowest number of road deaths ever in Ireland at 159. However, no one is complacent about this issue. My Department and I, working in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority, RSA, the Minister for Justice and Equality, An Garda Síochána and the local authorities, are continuing to implement measures under the road safety strategy to ensure the number of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads will continue to fall.

Cyclists are particularly vulnerable road users, and we are addressing the issue of cyclist safety through a variety of initiatives. The current road safety strategy, which runs from 2013 to 2020, contains measures to promote the use of personal protection equipment and high visibility clothing and developing a standardised road safety cycling proficiency training programme for schools, the Cycle Right programme. Cycle Right was launched in January 2017 and rolled out during the year to as many primary schools as funding allows. Cycling Ireland administers and manages the Cycle Right scheme and maintains a web based public register of qualified and approved Cycle Right trainers. This new cycle training initiative, which includes an on-road element, will result over time in an increase in the number of children choosing to cycle to and from school safely.

The RSA continues to work with cycling groups to promote cycle safety and to produce advertising campaigns aimed at the public, with a particular focus on the need for drivers to take extra care when sharing the road with cyclists. We are also improving our cycling infrastructure. There has been significant investment in this area in recent years, and that is continuing.

As part of budget 2018, I secured a significant increase in Exchequer capital funding for cycling infrastructure over the period 2018-2021. Capital investment of more than €110 million will develop cycling and walking infrastructure in the greater Dublin area and regional cities over the next four years. Budget 2018 also saw an increase of €30 million in the multi-annual allocation for Greenways, bringing the total for 2018 to 2021 to more than €55 million. In addition, more than €0.75 billion is being invested in reconfiguring the bus network as part of BusConnects, and this will entail construction of new cycling facilities alongside bus routes.

Finally, I announced earlier this year that I will bring in new regulations prescribing a minimum passing distance for vehicles overtaking cyclists. As all overtaking offences under road traffic law reside in secondary legislation, my officials have already submitted draft regulations to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for consideration and settling. I understand it has been sent for legal advice. These provisions will assist in improving cycling safety and in changing driver attitudes to cyclists.

Taken together, I believe these measures will provide increased safe infrastructure for cyclists and contribute to a change in behaviour which will enhance cycle safety.

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