Recent news that cyclists were set to be fined for breaking the rules of the road perhaps didn't tell the full story, as it seems there are a few exceptions.
Cyclists who use footpaths will not face being hit with fines, after Transport Minister Pascal Donohue decided to exclude that as an offence from the legislation aimed at punishing cyclists for breaking the rules of the road.
The Minister stated that the concern would be for those areas where cyclists have little option but to mount the footpaths in order to continue their journey safely, as well as making it more difficult for families who wanted to cycle with their children to school.
According to The Independent, Mr. Donohue was also concerned that some of the new policies would discourage people from taking up cycling as alternative to driving, but there will still be three dozen offences included on the list that will see cyclists get a fixed-charge fine of €40 in the post.
Gardaí will still be able to penalise some cyclists who take to the footpath however, as if they judge a cyclist to be "driving a pedal cycle without reasonable consideration", then they can be hit with a fine.
Via Independent.ie
