Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Mar 2003

Vol. 562 No. 4

Written Answers - Road Traffic Regulations.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

389 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the percentage of cyclists who currently cycle without lights of any description on their bicycles at night; the way in which this issue is to be dealt with in view of the danger it poses both to the cyclist and other road users; and if he will make a statement on the possibility of regulating manufacturers to attach lighting to the bicycle as an integral part of the product. [6227/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The position regarding obligatory lighting of pedal cyclists is set out in regulations made pursuant to the Road Traffic Acts, 1961 to 2002. Any amendments to the legislation would be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána views the non-use of lights by cyclists as a serious road safety issue. In 2002, 18 pedal cyclists were killed on Irish roads. Some 993 cyclists were prosecuted for breaching lighting regulations in 2001.