New law should make roads safer for cyclists
WEXFORD CYCLING CAMPAIGNER INSPIRED DEPUTIES TO ACT
A NEW law inspired by Wexford cycling campaigner Phil Skelton has been tabled which will make our roads safer for cyclists once it comes into force.
Under the draft law proposed by Fine Gael, motorists are to face fines and penalty points for driving too close to cyclists.
If the Bill is passed, drivers will face €80 fines and three penalty points if they are caught encroaching on cyclists’ road space. Fines of up to €1,500, and five penalty points, would be imposed if an incident ends up in court and results in a conviction.
The minimum passing distance would be set at 1.5 metres on roads with speed limits of more than 50 km/h.
The campaign for a minimum distance law ‘Stayin Alive at 1.5’ was set up by Mr Skelton, who took his campaign to the Dail after two local cyclists were killed following incidents with motorists.
Mr Skelton contacted fellow cyclist, Deputy Ciarán Cannon, one of two TDs whose Road Traffic (Minimum Passing Distance of Cyclists) Bill 2017 was published last week.
Twenty cyclists have died on Irish roads in the past two years.
Mr Skelton told this newspaper: ‘It’s a jungle out there for cyclists. I am a cyclist and I have had near misses and scares with vehicles overtaking too close.
‘I cycle to work every day and some drivers really don’t care and don’t even slow down if they pass close to you. Including bus and lorry drivers which can be really scary and if a person on the bike slips or panics they can easily end up under the bus or car.’
‘For me personally though, I have been campaigning for the introduction of this law now for three-and-half years and during this time The Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 campaign has made use of social media, various awareness videos, vehicle signage, safety campaigns,.to ask motorists to “give space” to bicycle riders.
‘ The RSA has been active in this area too, but this has been ongoing with cyclists for some time now and and although has some positive effect it doesn’t reach the target audience we need to engage, those who might view people on bicycles as road furniture, as an inconvenience, which needs to be overtaken hastily and at the first opportunity. those unwilling to take on the message or dismissive of vulnerable road users altogether, Mr Skelton told this newspaper.
Introducing a minimum passing distance law would be a significant and progressive step in changing the focus on sharing the road.‘During this time I’ve succeeded in creating a campaign specific Facebook page with 13,000 followers that has reached up to 750,000 and through this medium I have had the displeasure of reporting on the deaths of 36 people who lost their lives while simply riding a bicycle.
‘Some of these are unnecessary and wholly preventable and lead to a lifetime of heartache not just for their family, friends and communities but also for the uninformed motorist,’ said Mr Skelton.
Under the proposed law, a distance of one metre would apply on streets and roads with speed limits lower than 50 km/h. The Road Traffic (Minimum Passing Distance of Cyclists) was published by Fine Gael Deputy Ciarán Cannon and Regina Doherty, the government chief whip. The deputies are seeking the support of Transport Minister Shane Ross and the transport spokespersons of other parties for the law they want to see passed before the Dáil’s summer recess.