Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2023
183. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if there are any rules, regulations, guidelines or studies around the safe transporting of children on bicycles and on cargo bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25787/23]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has a team of educators going into schools and the community delivering road safety education programmes, which tackle all elements of road safety, including addressing safe cycling with school children. Areas covered include correct helmet wearing, wearing high vis, appropriate use of lights and bell, the roadworthiness of bicycles, as well as signalling and positioning.
In addition, the RSA also distributes the “Going to School Parents’ Guide to Getting Children to School Safety”, which includes cycling Going to School English FA July 2017 Web (rsa.ie). While not specifically covering cargo bikes, information on bicycle trailers and bicycle carriers for children is included on the Authority’s website and in the “Cycle Safety” booklet www.rsa.ie/road-safety/road-users/cyclists#
Complementing these initiatives, the RSA also provides funding to the “Cycle Right” programme for primary schools www.cycleright.ie/courses, and is also in the process of examining what other jurisdictions are doing in this area.
The Government is investing €365 million per year in Active Travel – cycling and walking. This investment is targeting the development of a comprehensive network of safe cycling routes across the country, which will allow more pupils to confidently and safely avail of cycling as part of their school journeys.
