Escort fined cyclists to ATMs, says TD Eoghan Murphy

Gardaí need new powers allowing them to escort cyclists found in breach of traffic laws to the nearest ATM to pay their fine on the spot, according to a Fine Gael TD.

However, Dublin South East TD Eoghan Murphy’s proposal has been dismissed by Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe, who said accused cyclists are entitled under the Constitution to a day in court.

Mr Murphy said he had hoped the motion would reduce the demand on court resources.

“I’m a cyclist and I see other cyclists breaking the law every day,” he said.

“I thought it might be a good way to improve cyclist behaviour without expending unnecessary time, resources, and money by following up notices through the courts.

“There’s a lot more that needs to be done regarding other road users, infrastructure and so on to encourage cycling and make it safer and I’m involved in those efforts too. But more people are cycling now and that’s great,” he said.

Mr Murphy put forward his proposal in a parliamentary question in which he asked Mr Donohoe “if he will introduce new powers to allow An Garda Síochána to fine cyclists in breach of the law on the spot, and to collect fines on the spot, as happens in other European countries, where the police have the power to escort offenders to the nearest automated teller machines if the offenders do not have the funds on them”. His proposal, however, was turned down by the minister.

“I do not intend to introduce new powers to allow gardaí to collect cycling fines on the spot,” said Mr Donohoe.

“Under our Constitution, all citizens are entitled to their day in court when accused of committing a crime. A cyclist intercepted while committing a fixed- charge offence, has the option of paying the fixed charge amount within the prescribed timeframes or having their case heard in a court of law. If a fixed charge notice is not paid within 56 days, a summons to appear in court will issue.”

Mr Donohoe introduced seven new offences for cyclists at the end of July. They included driving a pedal cycle without reasonable consideration, proceeding into a pedestrianised street or area and breaking a red light.

Cyclists found to have broken any of the new rules are subject to a €40 fine, which is posted to the address they provide to gardaí.