Road Safety

Wednesday, 11 February 2026

Ceisteanna (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 32)

Barry Ward

Ceist:

19. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding plans to make helmets mandatory for all cyclists on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10624/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Ward

Ceist:

20. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding plans to make his-vis jackets mandatory for all cyclists on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10625/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Ward

Ceist:

21. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the experience in Australia whereby the introduction of mandatory helmets and hi-vis jackets for cyclists led to an overall reduction in the number of cyclists; the actions he will take to ensure this is not the case if that policy is replicated in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10626/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Ward

Ceist:

22. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to concerns of cycling groups in relation to the potential unintended consequences of the introduction of mandatory helmets and hi-vis jackets for cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10627/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Ward

Ceist:

23. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if he will meet with cycling advocacy groups as part of the review of the implementing of mandatory helmets and hi-vis jackets for cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10628/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Ward

Ceist:

24. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to claims that the introduction of mandatory helmets and hi-vis jackets for cyclists will shift the blame for the cause of road accidents away from dangerous drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10629/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Ward

Ceist:

25. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered international comparisons in relation to the review of implementing of mandatory helmets and hi-vis jackets for cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10630/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Ward

Ceist:

26. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the criteria under review as part of his consideration in relation to implementing mandatory helmets and hi-vis jackets for cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10631/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Naoise Ó Cearúil

Ceist:

28. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department is considering the introduction of mandatory helmet or high-visibility clothing requirements for users of e-bikes or e-scooters; if an assessment has been carried out on the potential safety, enforcement or behavioural impacts of such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10645/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Heneghan

Ceist:

32. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether he has considered the potential negative impact on everyday cycling, particularly for children and families, of any proposal to make the wearing of high visibility clothing and helmets mandatory for all cyclists; whether any assessment has been carried out on the likely effect such measures could have on cycling participation and uptake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10806/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28 and 32 together.

I wish to advise that, while personal protective equipment (PPE) is strongly advised for bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters, it is not currently mandatory.

The Road Safety Authority, the agency responsible for public education and awareness, frequently undertakes campaigns to promote awareness, among pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter users, of the need for PPE and visibility on our roads. The safety benefits of reflective clothing and helmets are set out in detail in the www.rsa.ie/docs/default-source/road-safety/r1---rules-of-the-road/ruleoftheroad_book-for-web.pdf In addition Department officials engage with An Garda Siochana regularly with respect to enforcement of road traffic regulations.

As we approach the two-year anniversary of the first regulations legalising the use of certain e-scooters on Irish roads in May 2024, it is appropriate that we look at the evidence and consider if additional regulation is warranted to promote road safety for e-scooters and bicycles, including e-bikes. My Department is examining this issue, however, no decisions have been taken in this regard at present and any proposals will first be presented at a future meeting of the Government.

Question No. 20 answered with Question No. 19.

Question No. 21 answered with Question No. 19.

Question No. 22 answered with Question No. 19.

Question No. 23 answered with Question No. 19.