We’re not sure if this Dáil Deputy has stopped to think out the implications of this one.
At stickybottle we’re all in favour of staying safe when we’re all on the bike, but one Irish politician has suggested an extreme measure.
A Dáil Deputy – for the benefit of our readers outside Ireland that means ‘member of parliament’ – has suggested making it mandatory for anybody cycling or even walking to wear high-visibility clothing.
Niamh Smyth of the Fianna Fail party, and who represents the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, has raised the idea in a parliamentary question to Minister for Transport Shane Ross.
We’re not entirely sure if she understands the implications of her suggestion; that the non-wearing of hi-vis gear by any cyclist or walker anywhere and at any time would become an offence.
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But Minister Ross – himself not exactly popular with cyclists having reduced funding for cycling infrastructure – spelled out just how hare-brained the idea is.
Smyth tabled the following question for Ross: “To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to make the wearing of high visibility clothing mandatory for pedestrians and cyclists; the law in this regard at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter.”
The Minister’s response undoubtedly left Smyth red-faced. Or at least we hope it did!
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“To create a statutory obligation on the wearing of reflective clothing would entail making it a criminal offence under Road Traffic legislation for any person guilty of not wearing high visibility clothing,” he said.
“A person in breach of such a provision would fall to be issued with a fixed charge notice or summonsed to court, depending on whatever procedure would be put in place for the processing of such offences.
“My Department is not considering making the wearing of hi-visibility vests a legal requirement.”
He said in his view safety issues such as the wearing of hi-vis were best addressed “by way of educational and publicity campaigns, such as those undertaken by the Road Safety Authority”.
As part of that process, Ross said the RSA had undertaken a number of campaigns to promote awareness among pedestrians and cyclists of the need for visibility on the roads.
“In addition, almost four million high visibility vests, armbands, rucksack covers and other such items have been distributed,” he added.
“A number of measures have also been included in the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 aimed at increasing the wearing of high visibility clothing among pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists,” Ross added.
“The Rules of the Road also include a strong recommendation supporting the wearing of light, and preferably high-visibility, clothing. Ultimately, however, the wearing of such safety clothing is a matter of personal responsibility.”
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