Rogue cyclists set to face on-the-spot fines MOD WARNING in first post

Jawgap · 21-01-2015 03:13PM

From the always excellent Sticky Bottle.....

Children cycling on footpaths will not be spared new on the spot fines, says Minister

Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe has said he has no plans to exempt children from laws that prohibit cycling on footpaths.

While a blind eye has often been turned by the Garda, the Government is drawing up a new system of €50 on the spot fines for cyclists based on the motoring penalty points system.

And while a range of new offences will be introduced to target cyclists under the new system, the Government has said existing offences will be enforced first and that one of those will be cycling on footpaths.

The plans, revealed last month, gave rise to concerns that children who cycled on footpaths for safety reasons, especially when going to and from school, would be unfairly targeted or forced onto the road.

When asked in the Dáil if he planned to allow exemptions to the road traffic laws to very young cyclists or the visual impaired people, Mr Donohoe said he had no such plans.

“I do not believe that a change in the law to allow some cyclists to use footpaths is an appropriate response,” he said.

There's only word for that - :rolleyes:

Chips Lovell · 21-01-2015 03:14PM

There's is currently no legal exemption for children cycling on the footpath. Nothing's changed in other words.

Lumen · 21-01-2015 03:17PM

I look forward to the first story about Gardai taking kids lunch money.

Skrynesaver · 21-01-2015 03:23PM

Under 12 you have no criminal responsibility, so cannot be fined...

CramCycle · 21-01-2015 03:23PM

Would the parents get fined due to issues with age? or would they haul my under 2yo into court for being on the footpath?

Pinch Flat · 21-01-2015 03:27PM

I'll be recovering any fines and legal costs from my 8 year old.

Might have to sell his Xbox and match attack collection. Oh and cancel the Beavers sub as well.

Roosterreid · 21-01-2015 03:28PM

I saw a cyclist on Ringsend Rd get pulled and ticketed yesterday morning... I believe it was for no lights!

Pinch Flat · 21-01-2015 03:29PM

Roosterreid wrote: »

I saw a cyclist on Ringsend Rd get pulled and ticketed yesterday morning... I believe it was for no lights!

Assuming it was in the dark, what's the issue?

Jawgap · 21-01-2015 03:30PM

CramCycle wrote: »

Would the parents get fined due to issues with age? or would they haul my under 2yo into court for being on the footpath?

I'd imagine the parents would get the fine, but I'd say in practice the Guards would just ignore it as long as the kids weren't being a nuisance (to more than it's parents).

Chips Lovell · 21-01-2015 03:31PM

It's a total non-story.

Jawgap · 21-01-2015 03:34PM

Pinch Flat wrote: »

I'll be recovering any fines and legal costs from my 8 year old.

Might have to sell his Xbox and match attack collection. Oh and cancel the Beavers sub as well.

I think if mine were still that age, I'd let them go to court and bring a bag with some clothes and tell them that the nice man behind the big desk is going to send them off on a nice holiday.....to a place so special it's just call the Joy.....

......then as they were being led off I'd just remind them to call their mother!

CramCycle · 21-01-2015 03:46PM

Jep Gambardella wrote: »

It's a total non-story.

Don't be like that, I am just annoyed that it wasn't left till Friday so it would get plenty of mileage.

check_six · 21-01-2015 04:22PM

Skrynesaver wrote: »

Under 12 you have no criminal responsibility, so cannot be fined...

Where am I getting the idea that you can accompany a child under 12 on the footpath on a bike? (as in you are both on bikes)

Is it something that appeared in a Rules of the Road back in the day? I know there isn't anything in the Statutes.

Skrynesaver · 21-01-2015 04:27PM

check_six wrote: »

Where am I getting the idea that you can accompany a child under 12 on the footpath on a bike? (as in you are both on bikes)

Is it something that appeared in a Rules of the Road back in the day? I know there isn't anything in the Statutes.

It seems like common sense, but is not covered by the legislation AFAIK

petethedrummer · 21-01-2015 04:54PM

Would this guy need to have lights?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_E3zxx2l9g

HivemindXX · 21-01-2015 07:58PM

Gardaí are seeking information about a criminal gang known to be operating around Ireland.

ps. I love the fact those kids are wearing helmets for this but presumably their parents don't require them for other forms of play.

Qualitymark · 22-01-2015 08:21AM

HivemindXX wrote: »

Gardaí are seeking information about a criminal gang known to be operating around Ireland.

ps. I love the fact those kids are wearing helmets for this but presumably their parents don't require them for other forms of play.

But they look as if they're playing Hell's Angels - the helmets are part of the game!

monument · 22-01-2015 03:47PM

Jep Gambardella wrote: »

There's is currently no legal exemption for children cycling on the footpath. Nothing's changed in other words.

The big difference is the fines which are due.

Skrynesaver wrote: »

Under 12 you have no criminal responsibility, so cannot be fined...

Indeed, but the definition of children is wider than that and best practice when you want to allow something by law is to not only remove criminal responsibility but go further that.

Tenzor07 · 22-01-2015 04:08PM

Well if they start issuing these massive fines for people cycling on pathways then i'm moving to the UK(ip)

ukip-leaflet-says-cyclists-should-stick-to-pavements

CramCycle · 22-01-2015 04:38PM

Qualitymark wrote: »

But they look as if they're playing Hell's Angels - the helmets are part of the game!

Al least they are tested at that height and speed so they may provide some use :pac:

magicbastarder · 22-01-2015 04:53PM

Skrynesaver wrote: »

Under 12 you have no criminal responsibility, so cannot be fined...

the offence leading to an FPN for cycling on the footpath is not a criminal offence. criminal responsibility does not enter into it.

Jawgap · 22-01-2015 05:05PM

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Well if they start issuing these massive fines for people cycling on pathways then i'm moving to the UK(ip)

ukip-leaflet-says-cyclists-should-stick-to-pavements

I think I'd rather take the fine than live in any country where they hold sway......

.......anyway when the Shinners take over after the next election, the revolution will arrive by bicycle

Macy0161 · 22-01-2015 05:09PM

monument wrote: »

The big difference is the fines which are due.

Isn't a FPN a lot less than a potential court fine? Still think it's a non issue.

CramCycle · 22-01-2015 05:15PM

Jawgap wrote: »

.......anyway when the Shinners take over after the next election, the revolution will arrive by bicycle

bazermc · 23-01-2015 10:39AM

I saw one Red light jumper crash into another red light jumper this morning, oh it made me laugh

Danjamin1 · 23-01-2015 10:55AM

bazermc wrote: »

I saw one Red light jumper crash into another red light jumper this morning, oh it made me laugh

It's awful frustrating when you're waiting at lights & the dope you overtook 200m back just cruises straight through them & you have to overtake again. I for one am looking forward to seeing the introduction of the FPN's, here's hoping it leads to some enforcement.

On another note the Gardai seem to have been cracking down on cars driving in the bus lanes recently, delighted to see it from both a cyclist & driver POV.

CramCycle · 23-01-2015 10:58AM

Danjamin1 wrote: »

It's awful frustrating when you're waiting at lights & the dope you overtook 200m back just cruises straight through them & you have to overtake again. I for one am looking forward to seeing the introduction of the FPN's, here's hoping it leads to some enforcement.

On another note the Gardai seem to have been cracking down on cars driving in the bus lanes recently, delighted to see it from both a cyclist & driver POV.

Completely off topic but the number of cars I see get caught for this is amazing. There was a line of 8 cars pulled in the other day for it. I laughed as 2 cars had swung out of their lane of traffic to dart along the bus lane, one nearly hit me, no indicator or anything on. I went ahead of them at the lights as they got caught behind a bus but the bus shielded their view from the Garda car, I did smirk somewhat.

Danjamin1 · 23-01-2015 11:08AM

CramCycle wrote: »

Completely off topic but the number of cars I see get caught for this is amazing. There was a line of 8 cars pulled in the other day for it. I laughed as 2 cars had swung out of their lane of traffic to dart along the bus lane, one nearly hit me, no indicator or anything on. I went ahead of them at the lights as they got caught behind a bus but the bus shielded their view from the Garda car, I did smirk somewhat.

It gives everyone a great sense of satisfaction seeing someone pulled over for something. Myself included, always like seeing people get their comeuppance.

Pinch Flat · 23-01-2015 11:22AM

Danjamin1 wrote: »

It gives everyone a great sense of satisfaction seeing someone pulled over for something. Myself included, always like seeing people get their comeuppance.

My pet hate this week is motorbikes and mopeds in mandatory bike lanes - nearly got hit by a motorbike this morning on the north quays who tried to zip in front of me to get behind a taxi and travel up the bike lane.

Had some gimp behind me on the south quays last night who insisted on riding behind me, beeping while I was signalling and overtaking slower cyclists - if we bother you while you're riding your motorbike (illegally) in a lane that you shouldn't be in, how about you stop breaking the law and stay out of it in the first place?

Danjamin1 · 23-01-2015 11:35AM

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Had some gimp behind me on the south quays last night who insisted on riding behind me, beeping while I was signalling and overtaking slower cyclists - if we bother you while you're riding your motorbike (illegally) in a lane that you shouldn't be in, how about you stop breaking the law and stay out of it in the first place?

Beeping's the worst, unless you're causing a dangerous situation there's no need for it, it shouldn't be used for some prat to sound their dissatisfaction with being behind you. Some people are serious gimps once they're on the road.

Rogue cyclists set to face on-the-spot fines MOD WARNING in first post

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