Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
244. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the issue of cyclists and persons on e-scooters using their bikes or e-scooters on the footpath in view of the risks to pedestrians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1438/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government has committed us to legislating for e-scooters and the Road Traffic and Roads Bill, which is currently being examined by the Oireachtas, has started that process. The Bill will allow me to make regulations putting rules of the road for e-scooters in place.
It is important when introducing any new kind of vehicle to our roads that the safety of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users is at the forefront of all deliberations. To minimise the potential for injury, I intend to restrict their use to public roads and cycle lanes. Under no circumstances will their use be permitted on footpaths.
With regard to pedal cycles, meanwhile, I share the Deputy's view that cycling on the footpath poses a threat to pedestrian safety, particularly when it comes to the very young, the elderly, and the disabled. The offence of cycling on the footpath is not explicitly spelled out in law because it is important that members of An Garda Síochána be allowed a degree of discretion when it comes to allowing very young cyclists stay off the roads as a result of their age and heightened vulnerability. This discretion does not extend, however, to allowing all cyclists free rein to mount and dismount footpaths as they please. As the Deputy may recall, one of my predecessors as Minister for Transport, Mr Paschal Donohoe T.D., introduced fixed charge notices for a number of cycling offences, including that of cycling without reasonable consideration, in August 2015. It is intended that the fixed charge notice for the offence of cycling without reasonable consideration will cover that of reckless cycling on a footpath.
