Vol. 426 No. 5
182 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the publication of A Citizen's Guide to the Environment by the British Department of the Environment; if he intends to publish a similar document; and the plans, if any, he has, to ensure the safety of cyclists on roads in Dublin city and county.
Under the Environment Action Programme, an Environmental Information Service (ENFO) has been established by my Department as an easily accessible source of appealing and authoritative information on all aspects of the environment. ENFO is well advanced in establishing a country-wide network through the county library service. Separately, my Department publishes a quarterly Environment Bulletin and periodic reports and other documents on environmental topics. The range of publications available on environmental matters is kept under review in the light of needs and resources, and account is taken in this context of what is available elsewhere.
The needs of cyclists are fully considered in the formulation of road policy. Under section 68 of the Roads Bill, 1991, which is currently before the House, local authorities will be able to construct or provide cycleways reserved for the exclusive use of cyclists, or pedestrians and cyclists. This power will be in addition to the provisions in the Road Traffic Acts dealing with cycle priority measures on public roads. The Interim Report of the Dublin Transportation Initiative, which was published recently, recommends, subject to further evaluation, that a network of cycle routes/lanes should be identified throughout the Dublin area.
