asked the Minister for the Environment if, in order to encourage cycling, to ease the traffic problem and reduce atmospheric pollution, he will take steps to establish cyclist zones in Dublin city.
19.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Cyclist Zones .
18.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he is satisfied that, in the planning of roadways, adequate consideration is being given to the position of cyclists.
: With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.
The management of the public road network and the planning and construction of road works, including special provision for cyclists, are matters for the appropriate road authority. I may add that, while improved interurban sections of national primary roads normally have a hard shoulder, which may be used by cyclists, existing street layouts in cities and towns generally are not adequate to permit of substantial special provision for cycle traffic.
: Is the Minister conscious of the attitude of his colleague, the Minister for Health, in encouraging people to cycle in the city as a means of keeping fit, and would the Minister consider this matter with a view to providing cycle lanes, because there is no point in the other Minister encouraging people to cycle if they cannot do so because of the lack of facilities for them on the roads?
: On all new national primary and secondary roads provision is being made for cyclists, but the existing city road structures do not make such provision possible.
: That answer is not satisfactory. Is the Minister aware that there is a high accident rate among cyclists and that his colleague is encouraging people to engage in this activity?
: Perhaps I will put a question to the Minister on the matter.
: He chose not to answer this one.
: Is the Minister aware that Dublin Corporation are considering cycle ways but that because of the lack of funds at their disposal and having regard to the 11 per cent ceiling imposed on them this year, they are not in a position to do this? In these circumstances would the Minister be prepared to make funds available to the corporation for this purpose so that they might provide some cycle ways within the inner city?
: Dublin Corporation do not fare too badly on the various occasions. They have got 30 per cent of the total housing allocation this year.
: Dublin has 35 per cent of the population.