New laws from midnight tonight will introduce fines against cyclists for the first time, with seven new infringements.
The new rules will see fixed charge notices issued to cyclists with a fine of €40.
They infringements are:
Advertisement
- Cyclist driving a pedal cycle without reasonable consideration.
- No front lamp or rear lamp lit during lighting-up hours on a pedal cycle.
- Cyclist proceeding into a pedestrianised street or area.
- Cyclist proceeding past traffic lights when the red lamp is illuminated.
- Cyclist proceeding past cycle traffic lights when red lamp is lit.
- Cyclist failing to stop for a School Warden sign.
- Cyclist proceeding beyond a stop line, barrier or half barrier at a railway level crossing, swing bridge or lifting bridge, when the red lamps are flashing.
Garda Inspector Michael O’Connor - who is responsible for road safety in Dublin - says breaking red lights is the most serious new offence:
The fines have been described as 'on-the-spot' fines, but cyclists will only be required to provide name and address on the spot so that authorities can send out their fines.
Cycling groups like Cyclist.ie have criticised what they see as the gardaí's relaxed attitude to drivers' offences, such as parking in cycle lanes and overtaking cyclists in a frightening way.
