Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2019
210. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he convened a meeting regarding parking by private motorised vehicles in cycle lanes with the Ministers for Transport, Tourism and Sport and Housing, Planning and Local Government; the actions decided upon; when cyclists will begin to see an improvement in enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38320/19]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that I regularly meet my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Shane Ross TD, to discuss road safety matters including in particular at the Ministerial Committee on Road Safety.
Minister Ross and I co-chair that Committee, which is made up of all major stakeholders involved in road safety, including the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána, the Health and Safety Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, the Department of Health, the City and County Managers' Association and the Attorney General. It provides an important forum to oversee the implementation of the Road Safety Strategy and facilitate high-level discussion of road safety issues.
Minister Ross and I met most recently in relation to road safety issues at last week’s Committee meeting.
In relation to the specific matter raised by the Deputy, namely parking by private vehicles in cycle lanes, I am informed by An Garda Síochána that there has been a very significant increase in the monthly average of Fixed Charge Notices issued for 'Parking in a Cycle Track'. This highlights An Garda Síochána’s dedication and ongoing commitment to making our roads a safer place for all road users including cyclists.
I have included for the Deputies information a detailed table compiled by An Garda Síochána with details of fixed charge notices issued from 2010 up to the end of June 2019.
|
Fixed Charge Notices issued for 'Parking in a Cycle Track' |
|||||||||||
|
Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 (Jun) |
Total |
|
FCNs issued |
361 |
240 |
344 |
255 |
154 |
366 |
268 |
471 |
705 |
389 |
3,553 |
|
Monthly average issued |
30 |
20 |
29 |
21 |
13 |
31 |
22 |
39 |
59 |
65 |
I am further informed that An Garda Síochána’s Roads Policing Operations Plan for 2019 was developed with a particular road safety focus on the vulnerable road user categories of motorcyclists, pedal cyclists, learner-permit holders and pedestrians. To ensure safety on our roads, all road users must comply fully with relevant road traffic legislation. An Garda Síochána are committed to educating all road users in their attitudes and behaviour, and when necessary detecting and intercepting dangerous drivers, or those who refuse to comply with road traffic laws; including the enforcement of cycle track access for cyclists during designated hours.
Finally, I would reiterate that road safety is a shared responsibility. I would urge drivers to remember that illegal parking in cycle tracks leads to an increased safety risk for vulnerable cyclists, as they are forced to avoid obstructions by moving into adjacent traffic flows.
