Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that the road traffic laws make sufficient provision to protect the safety of cyclists in the city where inadvertent opening of passenger doors, encroaching into cycle lanes and other behaviours create a dangerous environment for cyclists; his views on a legal review to better protect cyclists. [4360/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I am satisfied that there are laws in place that make illegal the behaviours identified by the Deputy. Regrettably, use of our roads – whether by motorists, cyclists or pedestrians – can never be risk free. The safety of cyclists and other vulnerable road users is, and remains, a matter of concern for me.

The development of a national cycling safety strategy by the Road Safety Authority (provided for in the Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012) has been amalgamated into my Department's National Cycle Strategy, which I published in April last year.

The strategy addresses all issues relevant to cycling with the intention of creating a real culture of cycling in Ireland. It deals comprehensively with the issue of safe cycling, including the need for basic cycle training and behaviour and awareness of road users towards the needs of cyclists. It also provides for the improvement of the legislative framework around cycling and progress has already been made on the implementation of this objective, beginning in December last when I signed the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 487 of 2009).