I propose to take Questions Nos. 543 to 545, inclusive, together.
Regrettably, the use of our roads — whether by motorists, cyclists or pedestrians — can never be risk free and the safety of all vulnerable road users is a matter of concern for me.
All bicycles used on public roads in Ireland are required to comply with the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations, which was most recently amended by Statutory Instrument S.I 487/2009.
Where a person is guilty of an offence under these regulations, the penalties for such an offence are set out in the Road Traffic Act 2006. The penalty for a first offence is a fine not exceeding €1,000, for a second offence a fine not exceeding €2,000 and for a third or subsequent offence a fine not exceeding €2,000 and/or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 months
I will arrange to forward to the Deputy details of all road traffic regulations relating to cyclists. However, it should be noted that as a class of road user specified in legislation, cyclists are required to observe road traffic legislation in the same manner as other road users. The enforcement of road traffic regulations generally is a matter for An Garda Síochána and my Department has no information, nor does it maintain statistics, on the level of prosecutions brought to court.