Great debate between George Hook and Matt Cooper about new cycling fines

George Hook accuses all cyclists of being criminals.
Matt Cooper responds by pointing out that Hook has at least three convictions for driving, so he is a criminal himself.
It's well worth watching - it's about 11 minutes long.

[broken link removed]

These fines are coming from the beginning of August

Offences now the subject of €40 fines are:

1. Cyclist driving a pedal cycle without reasonable consideration.

2. No front lamp or rear lamp lit during lighting-up hours on a pedal cycle.

3. Cyclist proceeding into a pedestrianised street or area.

4 . Cyclist proceeding past traffic lights when the red lamp is illuminated.

5. Cyclist proceeding past cycle traffic lights when red lamp is lit.

6. Cyclist failing to stop for a [broken link removed] sign.

7. Cyclist proceeding beyond a stop line, barrier or half barrier at a railway level crossing, swing bridge or lifting bridge, when the red lamps are flashing.

I think that €40 is way too little for dangerous cycling which puts the cyclist and others at risk. It's no disincentive at all. A cyclist should ask the question "Is this safe or not?". Instead they will say "In the extremely unlikely event that I am caught, I will have to pay only €40"

I think that if the Garda decides that the offence is dangerous, then maybe the bike should be confiscated. That would make people, especially those on very expensive fast bikes, think twice before rushing lights.

It's good to see cycling on footpaths excluded as it allows young children to cycle off the road which is important. I often cycle along the coast road at Sandymount. Yesterday, I was holding up a bus, so I got onto the footpath. There were no pedestrians, so it was absolutely the right thing to do. I might not have done it if I was facing a fine.

Brendan Burgess said:

I think that if the Garda decides that the offence is dangerous, then maybe the bike should be confiscated. That would make people, especially those on very expensive fast bikes, think twice before rushing lights.

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While €40 might not be enough of a disincentive, I think confiscating the bike is a bit extreme, they don't do that to those driving dangerously who have far more potential to harm themselves and others. Perhaps a scale depending on the severity of the offence? But then all current fixed penalty

I think it's all moot anyway, while there might be a PR exercise at the start, it will quickly fall back to the current little or no enforcement of road traffic laws.

Leo said:

I think confiscating the bike is a bit extreme, they don't do that to those driving dangerously who have far more potential to harm themselves and others.

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OK, confiscate cars from people who drive dangerously.

Brendan

All very sensible reasons to monitor cyclists; however I believe the first one will never make it in court. What is defined as reasonable consideration? I cycle everyday and I'm not worried; however having gardai at the junctions on the Grand Canal might stop motorists breaking red lights and blocking the canal an every junction, whatever about what cyclists get up to.

Brendan Burgess said:

OK, confiscate cars from people who drive dangerously.

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Perfect

Deas said:

All very sensible reasons to monitor cyclists; however I believe the first one will never make it in court. What is defined as reasonable consideration?

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I'd imagine it'll be in line with what is considered dangerous driving at the moment, plenty of convictions there for motorists. Also, the change here is the imposition of FPNs, they won't go to court unless the accused chooses to fight the accusation / doesn't pay the fine.