The issuing of the on the spot fines to cyclists has been welcomed. Some 1,660 fines have been imposed on cyclists and must be paid immediately or the sums of money owed can increase very significantly.
Cyclists hit with 1,660 on the spot fines by Garda
Cyclists have been issued with 1,660 on the spot fines by the Garda since the new system of cycling fines was introduced in Ireland.
The new figures have been released by the Garda. And the enforcement has been welcomed by the Dublin Cycling Campaign.
On the spot fines were introduced in July, 2015. Since then, just over half of the fines imposed have been for breaking red lights.
Some 843 of the fines were accounted for by that road traffic infringement.
To date in 2017 some 441 fines have imposed; 172 for breaking a red light and 88 for riding a bike in a pedestrianised area.
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A further 73 fines have been imposed for cycling without reasonable consideration.
Having no front light has been the reason for 57 on the spot cycling fines so far this year. And there have been 51 fines issued for having no front light.
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In the last five months of 2015 a total of 588 fines were issued. And 631 were issued in all of 2016.
Of 2016’s fines, 318 were for breaking a red light, 126 for cycling without reasonable consideration and 84 for having no front light.
Under the cycling on the spot fines system, a range of offences are punishable with a €40 fine if paid immediately.
If it is not paid within 26 days the fine increases to €60. Should the cycling fine remain unpaid the matter can go to court where fines of up to €2,000 can be imposed.
Chair of the Dublin Cycling Campaign Dr Paul Corcoran said the “clamping down on cyclists” was welcomed by his organisation.
“There is a minority of cyclists who break the law by breaking red lights and cycling on footpaths. And the fines are a good deterrent to stop that,” he said.
“800 fines over the course of a year is quite a small number particularly when compared to the figure for drivers which is in the tens of thousands.
“The big issues for cyclists in Dublin are lack of infrastructure, lack of facilities and car drivers parking in cycle lanes.
“There’s a real lack of enforcement for parking in the cycle lanes and it makes things dangerous for cyclists.”
€40 fine for following offences:
• Cyclist driving a pedal cycle without reasonable consideration – €40
• No front lamp or rear lamp lit during lighting-up hours on a pedal cycle – €40
• Cyclist proceeding into a pedestrianised street or area – €40
• Cyclist proceeding past traffic lights when the red lamp is illuminated – €40
• Cyclist proceeding past cycle traffic lights when red lamp is lit – €40
• Cyclist failing to stop for a School Warden sign – €40
• 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 – €40
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