Cycling Ireland statement on cyclists using headphones after call for ban
Cycling Ireland has set out its advice on cyclists using headphones after a new ban was urged.
Cycling Ireland has advised cyclists not to using headphones when on their bikes but it does not believe their use should be banned.
The national governing body issued a statement after the Oireachtas Transport Committee heard calls for a ban on cyclists using headphones on Irish roads.
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Irish Road Haulage Association told the parliamentary committee that it wants new laws banning pedestrians and cyclists using headphones on public roads.
“Cycling Ireland recommend that cyclists don’t use headphones while on public roads, however, we do not believe that this should be an offence subject to penalty points,” the cycling federation said in a statement.
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“The onus of safety on the roads does not lie solely with the cyclist; due care and caution should be taken by all road users.”
In response to the call by the IRHA for a ban it said: “(Considering) the truck drivers accept that their visibility is restricted, we would question why the actions of the cyclist should be punished by law, as the use of headphones could not affect the vision and actions of the driver.”
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Cycling Ireland added it was not aware of “frequent incidents” on the roads involving cyclists using headphones.
“However, we would be much more keenly interested to see the proposed 1.5 metre minimum passing distance legislation coming into effect given the increase number of near misses on our roads,” it said.
Truckers want ban on cyclists using headphones
IRHA president Verona Murphy had made claims about cyclists when appearing the Oireachtas committee.
She also demanded a whole series of extra measures before cyclists could take to Irish roads.
“Provisions in relation to cycling should be made around the safety of the cyclist from the perspective of protecting themselves; helmets, hi-vis jackets,” she said.
Ms Murphy then added: "Cyclists will take risks that we don’t encourage, we can't do anything about them, the visibility from a truck is restricted.
"I think maybe cyclists should undergo a course, and to have to have passed that course, and be equally susceptible to penalty points for bad practices."
LUAS (light rail) drivers in Dublin previously called for cyclists to be banned from using headphones on the roads of the city.
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