** Regarding the on the spot fines for cyclists that are being introduced by the government please read the following info-

Cyclists facing on-the-spot €50 fines for riding on footpaths 

The Government is to introduce new regulations allowing gardai to impose fines of €50 against cyclists who break road safety laws, it has been learned. 

CYCLISTS will be hit with on-the-spot fines if caught riding on footpaths or breaking red lights.

The Government is to introduce new regulations allowing gardai to impose fines of €50 against cyclists who break road safety laws, it has been learned.
The measure is contained in the Government’s road safety strategy and comes after independent TD Finian 
McGrath <http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Finian_McGrath> caused a furore in May after blasting cyclists for being arrogant and lacking respect for other road users, including motorists.
Transport Minister Leo Varadkar <http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Leo_Varadkar>  now plans to introduce new regulations before the end of the year, which would allow gardai to impose fines for three offences - breaking a red light, cycling on a footpath and overtaking in a dangerous situation.
The fines will be a “minimum” of €50 and must be paid within 56 days. If unpaid, the cyclist will be ordered to appear in court where the fines can be increased.
The move will affect some 40,000 people who cycle on a regular basis, 6,000 of which are in Dublin.        

A spokesman for the Department of Transport said the fines were being introduced to discourage dangerous practices on the roads, adding the offenders were currently being dealt with through the courts system. <http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Department_of_Transport_(Ireland)>

The move to introduce on-the-spot fines followed consultation with gardai and the Road Safety Authority   (RSA ), and the measure was likely to be introduced late this year or in early 2014.
<http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Road_Safety_Authority>
<http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Road_Safety_Authority>


“An alternative approach is required when prosecuting offenders in the interests of road safety,” he said.
“Gardaí have contacted the Department to report an increased success rate in prosecuting cyclists in court. The Department will extend the fixed-charge system to cycling offences. This is being brought in under the new Road Safety Strategy and can be done under secondary legislation, through ministerial regulations.”
Gardaí already have a range of powers to enforce safe cycling practices under existing legislation, including the power – in extreme cases - to impound bicycles.<http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Garda_Siochana>

A spokesman for Cycling.ie, a national lobbying group, said while on-the-spot fines would act as a deterrent to dangerous cyclists, more driver training was needed.
“What we know from international road safety research is the more cyclists on the streets the fewer collisions and fatalities there are,” Dr Mike McKillen said. “Drivers need to be taught how to interact with cyclists.

---

---