Cycling on a footpath should be an offence unless to protect children

With reference to Aidan Glover’s response (Irish Examiner, Letters, July 23) to my earlier letter, which highlighted concerns about the non-inclusion of cycling on footpaths in the new Fixed Charge Notice (FCN) system.

As a cyclist and pedestrian, I welcome the introduction of FCNs for cyclists and I believe that most reasonable people would not object to families with young children cycling to school on the footpath. This is not an issue, as it does not impinge on the safety of pedestrians.

Mr Glover does not mention, however, that it is the transport minister’s intention to allow cyclists of any age to use footpaths. According to an email from Jerry Buttimer, TD, on July 6: “However, the minister was of the opinion that there are times when it is either necessary or appropriate, for a cyclist to use a footpath, where there are safety reasons for not using the road.”

A series of recent emails from the road safety division of the Department of Transport said: “Cycling on the footpath is an offence at all times. However, the Department is aware that the Garda use their discretion when enforcing this law, particularly in situations where the safety of the cyclist takes precedence.”

The minister, and his advisors, have introduced ambiguity where, before, there was clarity. Where does the safety of a cyclist take ‘precedence’ and precisely ‘when, where and in what circumstances’ is it ‘appropriate and necessary’ for a cyclist to use a footpath?

The Road Safety Authority, in recent correspondence, said that they were unable to reconcile these ministerial changes with page 195 of their Rules of the Road book, which unambiguously states: ‘Never cycle on a footpath’, and, on page 5, ‘Don’t cycle on a footpath’.

I would strongly urge the minister to go back to the drawing board and include cycling on a footpath as an offence under the new FCN system, before enactment at the end of this month.

John Leahy

Wilton Road

Cork