Cycling fines will not cover bicycle helmets or high-vis says Gardai

Gardai will not be issuing cycling on-the-spot fines for not using bicycle helmets or high-vis, the Garda press office confirmed this afternoon. We asked for confirmation of this after an official Garda account on Twitter posted an image which was described as confusing by many members of the public.

Legislation would have to be changed for such fines and successive ministers for transport, including the current one, have stated that there is no plan for such a change.

Sergeant Brian Whelan of the Garda press office told IrishCycle.com that the inclusion of helmets and high-vis in the image tweeted by the official Garda Traffic Twitter account was just to show safe cycling. 

He said the finable offenses are covered by the text below the image, and confirmed none of these, not even cycling without due reasonable consideration, includes the wearing of helmets or high-vis.

(article continues below image)  

In one Tweet, Dan Morrin writes: “@GardaTraffic very misleading poster, it’s implying that fluorescent clothing is a legal requirement which isn’t the case” and another Twitter user, Shane Kavanagh, replied and said “@Danjamin1 @GardaTraffic i agree Dan, i read it about 5 times to try ascertain whether a helmet is now compulsory and to whom it applies??”

Another user, Ian Murphy tweets: “@GardaTraffic poster insinuates items pictured are required. Extremely poorly produced poster. Should not be endorsed by AGS. @RSAIreland”.

Another example, from a user called Jim, asks: “Can @Paschald clarify that image on @GardaTraffic poster does NOT relate 2 newly introduced FCPN’s? @IrishCycle https://t.co/yOjPegtbHP”.


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8 comments

  1. It’s what we can expect from the RSA. The conclusions they draw from surveys are tenuous, their advice is poor and often inaccurate. I have little confidence in that organisation, it needs an overhaul and a change in leadership.

    Reply
  2. Leaving aside whether the helmet / fluorescent top is in / out, what is the difference between item 4 and item 7. Does anyone know the difference between a red lamp that is lit and a red lamp that is illuminated?

    Reply
    • It’s an error, one of those should refer to ‘cycle’ or bicycle traffic lights as used on a limited amount of cycle routes.

      Reply
  3. They’ve also made a mistake in no.7- it should read ‘cycle traffic lights’, not just ‘traffic lights’. The text of no.4 and no.7 as included in the poster are identical, except for the synonymous ‘lit’ and ‘illuminated’.

    Reply
  4. Cian…..Garda Brian Whelan.has obviously NOT read the legislation! There is NO REQUIREMENT to have a front reflector!! This Press Release/Tweet is a Joke! Not properly checked, misleading etc! Garda office need to redact/withdraw this post!

    Reply

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