Irish cycling campaigners have welcomed a move by the Government to clampdown on the use of quad bikes and scramblers in public places.
Use of quads and scramblers on some cycling routes has contributed significantly to anti social behaviour on the cycling and walking facilities.
Along the Grand Canal and Royal
Canal greenways in Dublin the problem has been especially acute. And ‘kissing
gates’ installed on those routes to prevent quads and scramblers being used
there have been strongly criticised.
The gates have not been successful in keeping quads and
scramblers off the cycling routes and have forced cyclists off their bikes to
get through the gates, making them vulnerable to attack.
The gates have also been criticised for blocking access for wheelchair users to some routes.
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Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD has now confirmed a
range of new legislative provisions are being introduced to strengthen the hand
of gardai in dealing with people riding quads and scramblers in public places.
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The legislation will introduce three specific measures including prohibiting the use of mechanically propelled vehicles “on public or private land, except in cases where there is permission from the landowner”.
This new offence will cover places such as parks, green
areas, waste ground, beaches and cycle routes.
Gardai will also be able to seize a quad or scrambler being used in public places and to enter any place, including a person’s home, with a warrant to seize a vehicle they suspect was being used in breach of the new rules.
The Irish cycling advocacy group, Cyclist.ie, said it supported the proposed changes, which will be contained in the new Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Arrangements) Bill.
Cyclist.ie chair, Colm Ryder, said the legislation would result in “stiff penalties introduced for anti social behaviour by scrambler bikes, in parks, cycle tracks, greenways and public places”.
“These changes can ensure greater protection for the users of these facilities. They also mean that access to facilities need no longer be impeded by kissing gates, frequently cited as necessary to control access by scramblers,” he said.
Galway Cycling Campaign described the new scrambler and quad regulations as “very welcome”.
“We've
made numerous representations to our councilors,
council, and recently again to the Ministers, as have fellow advocates
across Ireland. We're delighted that
our voices have been heard,” the campaign said.
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