Garda checks on cyclists wearing helmets likely to create "strain" - Govt | Sticky Bottle

*Eamon Ryan says if the gardai were asked to carry out checks on cyclists wearing helmets that would create real workload problems for them*

If helmets became compulsory for cyclists in the Republic gardai would quickly become over-burdened with the checks they would need to carry out, Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport Eamon Ryan has said.

Answering questions in the Dáil from Sean Haughey TD
(FF), Ryan said the idea of making helmets compulsory was raised a number of
times down the years and he had no plan to make them compulsory.

He pointed out it was “a long-standing Government policy
to recommend and promote the wearing of helmets”.

The rules of the road booklet also “encourages the use of cycle helmets and draws attention to their safety benefits”. Ryan also pointed out the Road Safety Authority “strongly encourages their use”.

*Cycling helmets are optional in nearly every country, including Ireland. The Irish Government says it no plans to change the current situation in the Republic*

But Ryan also said opinion was divided internationally on whether the wearing of safety helmets was “best achieved through the introduction of statutory requirements or through other strategies”.

“Making the wearing of helmets compulsory would raise a
number of difficulties,” Ryan said in his response to north Dublin TD Haughey.

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“For example, if wearing helmets were made compulsory it
would be necessary to have some kind of enforcement system with penalties,
presumably fines, for cycling without a helmet,” Ryan added.

“Whilst enforcement might be possible, it could create
considerable strain on Garda resources, and indeed on the courts.”

He noted the issue was considered when the Road Safety
Strategy 2013 was being prepared and it “stopped short” of recommending helmets
be made compulsory for cyclists.

“International studies also show that making the wearing
of helmets mandatory results in a decrease in the number of people cycling,”
Eamon Ryan added.

“It is my view that the wearing of cycle helmets is
better achieved by way of educational and publicity campaigns rather than by
pursuing a punitive approach to the issue, particularly having regard to the
large numbers of children and young people who cycle.

“Consequently I have no plans to make the wearing of
bicycle safety helmets a legal requirement at this time.”