Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

47. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to improve cycling safety in view of the fact that there have been more fatalities to date in 2017 than the entirety of 2016. [30175/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The creation of a safer cycling environment is a priority for me and I share the Deputy's concern regarding the figures this year.

The greatest risks are where many different road users share space.  Hence, in 2017, funding of just under €30 million has been allocated by the NTA under the Sustainable Transport  Management grant scheme for the Greater Dublin Area and for the Regional Cities.  This funding will be allocated to Cycling and Walking projects and Bus Priority measures, enabling better segregation of users.  In 2016 the funding for the GDA was €21.22m and over 80% of this was spent on Cycling and Walking projects, with similar expected for 2017.

I am acutely aware of the need for more and better cycling infrastructure and I am seeking additional funding for it as part of the mid-term review of the Capital Investment Plan.

Infrastructure is a part of the solution but it is not all of the solution.  How all road users behave is also important.  I understand from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) that the deaths of people cycling in recent years have been spread across urban and rural locations and on every type of road (National, Regional, Local).  While we all are free to use the road safely, we also all have the responsibility to ensure that our driving or cycling does not impact on that. It is up to all road users to be attentive and the RSA have highlighted the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of passing cyclists at a reasonable distance.

My Department has also allocated €350,000 for the purpose of subsidising participating schools for training in the new standard Cycle Right, with additional funding from the RSA, and with Cycling Ireland administering and managing the scheme registration.  

I intend, with the RSA, to further highlight the need for all road users to take account of the vulnerability of cyclists in the coming weeks, as I am conascious that the numbers of people cycling generally peaks at this time of year.