Cyclists to face 40 fines for road offences

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has today (Thursday) announced details of fixed penalty fines for cyclists who commit certain road traffic offences.

The fixed charge for the offences will be set at €40. The Minister said it was his intention to introduce regulations giving effect to this change by the end of the month.

Speaking today, Minister Donohoe said: 'Following consultations with the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána, I have decided to extend the fixed charge notice system to cyclists for seven of the 36 existing road traffic offences.

'These include breaking a red light, failure to have a front lamp or rear lamp lit during lighting-up hours and cycling without reasonable consideration. This new measure is intended to promote safe cycling practices and to discourage dangerous cycling.'

He added that the introduction of fixed charge notices for motorists had been 'hugely successful in changing driver behaviour' and he was confident of 'a similar change in behaviour and attitudes by cyclists who break the law' after the introduction of this measure.

'While the majority of cyclists obey the rules of the road, unfortunately there are some who do not. As a committed cyclist myself, I am of the view that the introduction of fixed charge notices for cyclists will increase awareness among cyclists and reinforce the message that cyclists have a responsibility in relation to obeying road traffic law. It will also provide another enforcement measure for An Garda Síochána.'

Cyclists will run the risk of incurring the €40 fine if they commit the following offences:

* Driving a pedal cycle without reasonable consideration.

* Cycling into a pedestrianised street or area.

* Cycling past traffic lights when the red light is illuminated.

* Having no front lamp or rear lamp lit during lighting-up hours on a pedal cycle.

* Failing to stop for a School Warden sign.

* Cycling beyond a stop line, barrier or half barrier at a railway level crossing, swing bridge or lifting bridge, when the red lamps are flashing.