I am satisfied that there are laws in place that make illegal the behaviours identified by the Deputy. Regrettably, use of our roads — whether by motorists, cyclists or pedestrians — can never be risk free. The safety of cyclists and other vulnerable road users is, and remains, a matter of concern for me.
The development of a national cycling safety strategy by the Road Safety Authority (provided for in the Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012) has been amalgamated into my Department's National Cycle Strategy, which I published in April last year.
The strategy addresses all issues relevant to cycling with the intention of creating a real culture of cycling in Ireland. It deals comprehensively with the issue of safe cycling, including the need for basic cycle training and behaviour and awareness of road users towards the needs of cyclists. It also provides for the improvement of the legislative framework around cycling and progress has already been made on the implementation of this objective, beginning in December last when I signed the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 487 of 2009).