Green Party calls on Government to Protect not Punish Vulnerable Road Users
The Green Party welcomes the Tánaiste’s reassurance that new laws will not make cycling without a helmet a crime. It was reported yesterday that under new laws announced by the Minister for Transport banning the use of scrambler bikes in public spaces, it would also be a criminal offence to cycle a bicycle without wearing hi-vis clothing and a helmet.
While using protective helmets and clothing are undoubtedly important for cyclists, the party is critical of the Government’s targeting of cyclists rather than users of high speed motorised bikes, scramblers and scooters, and dangerous drivers.
Speaking in the Dáil today, Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman said that rather than protecting vulnerable road users by introducing measures to make roads safer, this law that would discourage people from cycling and undo years of effort to get people out of their cars by making cycling safer:
“Yesterday, at the Transport Committee we heard from cycling organisations about the measures they want to see to make them safer. Measures they want implemented so we don’t see another 14 cyclists die this year, like we did last year.
And yet the proposal that this Government prioritises is one that puts all responsibility back on the cyclist, not on the dangerous road environment we have to negotiate, not on the big cars that knock us down.”
Deputy O’Gorman also pointed to the delays in reforming the RSA and in the introduction of safe 30km per hour zones in built up areas.
Green Party spokesperson on transport, Cllr. Feljin Jose responded to the possible introduction of this new law saying:
“This would kill off Dublin Bikes, TFI Bikes and all other bike share schemes overnight and reduce participation in cycling. We've seen this in other jurisdictions where similar measures were put in place. It seems the only idea the government has to reduce cycling injuries and deaths is to reduce cycling itself.”
Deputy O’Gorman and Cllr Jose are available for interview
