Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, for coming before the House to discuss the issue I raise which is cross-departmental in nature. In giving notice of the matter I deliberately asked how much money had been raised from fines imposed on those found not to be in compliance with the legal requirements for cyclists. While it may appear from the wording used that I am anti-cycling, the opposite is the case. If, however, cycling is to be safe, people who exercise their right to cycle must accept the responsibility to be visible. When cyclists are visible, they and other road users, pedestrians and drivers, will be protected.

In response to an inquiry I have been informed that cyclists are legally required to have a white light on the front of their bicycle, a red light at its rear and to wear a reflective jacket. I am pleased the new Dublin bikes scheme complies with two of these three requirements. While the bicycles have lights, front and back, I am not aware of any steps to ensure users wear a reflective jacket.

The Garda in County Mayo, specifically Foxford, has adopted a softly-softly approach to cyclists who are not in compliance with road safety regulations by rapping them on the knuckles and asking them to wear a reflective jacket. I welcome this development because the Garda has not taken the issue of road safety for cyclists sufficiently seriously.

The reason I raise the issue of fines is to bring attention to non-compliance by cyclists with road safety regulations. In the past, when little technology was available, a dynamo could be used to generate light for cyclists and the more one pedalled, the more light the device produced. Dynamos produce light, even when a bike is being pushed. In this era of advanced technology I fail to understand the reason many bicycles are manufactured without any form of lighting. We should work together in the European Union to ensure manufacturers of bicycles are required to meet basic safety requirements. No one uses a bicycle at home or in a community hall. All bicycles are used outside. With the hours of darkness becoming longer, it is more important than ever that cyclists are visible.

Government strategy is to encourage more people to cycle, while ensuring cycling is safe. However, I have raised the issue of safety requirements for cyclists on a number of occasions to no avail. It was for this reason I used controversial terminology to draw attention to the issue. I hope the relevant authorities will endeavour to ensure manufacturers will be required to fit lighting to bicycles. Take CC