Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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139. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to consider making the wearing of helmets mandatory for cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42549/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Making the wearing of helmets compulsory for cyclists is an issue which has arisen a number of times over the years. It is a long-standing Government policy to recommend and promote the wearing of helmets. The Rules of the Road booklet encourages the use of cycle helmets and draws attention to their safety benefits, and the Road Safety Authority, the agency responsible for public education and awareness, strongly encourages their use.

However, opinion is divided internationally on whether the wearing of safety helmets is best achieved through the introduction of statutory requirements or through other strategies.  Making the wearing of helmets compulsory would raise a number of difficulties.  For example, if wearing helmets were made compulsory it would be necessary to have some kind of enforcement system with penalties, presumably fines, for cycling without a helmet.  Whilst enforcement might be possible, it could create considerable strain on Garda resources, and indeed on the courts.

International studies also show that making the wearing of helmets mandatory results in a decrease in the number of people cycling.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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140. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the increasingly hazardous conditions for cyclists on roads rural due to speeding from vehicles; the steps he will take to rectify the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42599/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I am acutely aware of the importance of safety for our cyclists and I am very conscious of the vulnerability of cyclists on rural roads.   This Department continues to work with and fund key stakeholders to address how road users behave on our roads in order to promote a safe and respectful approach from all users sharing the public road space.  

In particular, the Department has recently included in the Traffic Signs Manual warning signs to inform motorists of the need to keep a safe lateral distance when overtaking cyclists. It has funded a programme for the provision of such signs by road authorities. It is also working with TII to consider suitable designs for the provision of segregated cycle facilities on higher speed roads. On quieter rural roads the general approach is to promote lower speed limits along with appropriate signage including traffic calming measures where required.

Enforcement of our road traffic laws is a matter for An Garda Síochána. 

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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142. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the supports available to private business to encourage the increase of cycling infrastructure particularly parking for cyclists; his plans to increase this support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42603/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In addition to the significant increases in funding to our Active Travel infrastructure programme in 2021, my Department also supports a number of behavioural change programmes specifically aimed at encouraging employees and third level students to choose to commute via walking or cycling.

The Smarter Travel Workplaces, Smarter Travel Campus Programme, which is overseen by the National Transport Authority (NTA), is a national, voluntary, behaviour change programme that works with large employers and third level institutions to implement workplace travel plans that facilitate sustainable travel on the commute and beyond. While these travel plans are primarily focused on 'soft' measures such as promotion, marketing and events, they can also include some 'hard' measures such as cycle parking, cycle lanes, showers or lockers. The NTA plans to build on the current Programme by expanding the number of businesses and organisations engaged in the Programme in order to encourage as many employees as possible to consider sustainable transport modes such as cycling in their commute to and from work.

It is also worth noting that the Cycle to Work Scheme, which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Finance, also assists employees with purchasing a bicycle to commute to work. Given its role in promoting Active Travel, I very much welcomed the announcement of increased thresholds under the Scheme as part of the July 2020 Stimulus package. The increases are in line with the commitment made in the Programme for Government.

The issue of facilitating Active Travel both for employees and across the general public will also be considered in the context of my Department’s review of Sustainable Mobility Policy which is currently ongoing.  I intend that the new policy framework will provide a strategic backdrop to the increased investment planned by this Government across the sustainable mobility programme, including Active Travel, and I look forward to the completion of this important work in 2021.