Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the reason for the recent Road Safety Authority campaign highlighting risks to cyclists on the road when Dublin City Council figures have shown a marked improvement in the road safety for cyclists as well as a great increase in bike users as can be seen in the dublinbikes scheme; and the cost of said campaign. [13672/11]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The promotion of cycling continues to be a key element in the sustainable transport strategy being pursued by this Government. This strategy includes investment in infrastructure designed to enhance cycling facilities and support increased usage as well as promotional campaigns such as Bike Week. Infrastructure projects under way include the Dublin canals cycle route and the fisheries field project in Galway. In addition, the National Roads Authority is currently carrying out a feasibility study on a potential cycle route from Dublin to Galway. Promotional campaigns such as the national campaign, Bike Week, have also been successful in encouraging increased cycling. This year Bike Week will run between 18 and 26 June.

The content of campaigns run by the RSA is a matter for the authority. It must be remembered that these are national campaigns which recognise the reality that cyclists can be vulnerable road users. Between 1997 and 2010, some 178 cyclists were killed on our roads and more than 400 were seriously injured. The campaign run by the RSA was designed to educate cyclists on how to stay safer on roads and includes important messages for drivers, who also need to pay attention and be on guard for cyclists. To be effective the cycling strategy being pursued by the Government includes investment in the physical environment for cyclists, communication and education. Clearly, education of both cyclists and motorists on the need to stay safe on our roads is an important element in the overall promotion strategy.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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The promotion of road safety is very important. It was felt that we had made significant progress on road safety for cyclists and that we could invest the money used for advertising more wisely in projects. The recent statistics indicate a significant improvement in lives saved in recent years. We would like to see an expansion of bicycle lanes to the main cities across the country and not just in Dublin. Other cities are being neglected in comparison with the capital city.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Does the Deputy have a question?

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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In future we should consider further expenditure. Does the Minister of State agree that we need to spend more money on bicycle safety and examine existing facilities and spread them more evenly across the country?

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I hope to be in a position to extend cycling facilities across the country in the future. It is an objective of the Government, as stated in the programme for Government. It is my ambition to be able to deliver on various project but that is a matter for the future. We must assess the funding required.

The safety campaign was a good one. The campaign cost €53,000. It concentrated not just on cyclists but on other road users. The campaign was very informative. Many drivers sometimes forget about cyclists and do not factor them into their driving behaviour, particularly in urban areas where there are more cyclists on the road. The campaign was a worthy and necessary one. I take on board Deputy Ellis's point on the future of cycling. It is a priority in the Department. I hope we will be in a position to deliver on the commitments in that regard.