Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 2

Written Answers. - Cycling Facilities.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

120 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps being taken to address the dangers faced by cyclists, especially from heavy goods vehicles, having regard to the fact that 15 of the 20 cyclists killed in Dublin over the past six years died in collisions with such vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26689/01]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy):

The need for a particular focus on vulnerable road users, including cyclists, was a specific recommendation of the high level group on road safety in its second progress report on the Government strategy for road safety.

The annual road accident facts reports prepared by the National Roads Authority reveal that in the last six years 119 cyclists have died as a result of traffic accidents, of which 37 were killed in Dublin. In 2000, the number of cyclists killed was ten which is the lowest number of fatalities reported in 40 years and comprises just 2.4% of all fatalities compared to 8% a decade ago. Of these ten fatalities, I understand that five were in respect of accidents involving goods vehicles with two of those occurring in Dublin.

My Department, in association with the Dublin Transportation Office, has published a design manual for cycle facilities entitled provision of cycle facilities, National Manual for Urban Areas – March 1998, which was circulated to all local authorities. The manual is intended to assist local authorities to provide cycle facilities to a uniform and high standard. Ensuring the safety of cyclists was an important consideration in developing the manual, which drew on international practice, particularly from the Netherlands and the UK. The manual sets out comprehensive guidelines for the design and provision of cycle facilities, specifically addresses the need for continuity in relation to cycle facilities and shows examples where this can be achieved with particular reference to the question of continuity through junctions and at pinch points. The DTO is now reviewing the cycle manual in the light of experience since 1998. All of the reports mentioned are available in the Oireachtas Library.