Ireland’s quest for Minimum Passing Distance Law.

Stayin’ Alive at 1.5
Bike Lives Matter.

Bike Lives Matter.

In the coming weeks, Fianna Fáil transport spokesperson, Robert Troy T.D. will bring forward an amendment to the road traffic bill with the intention of introducing a cyclist specific minimum passing distance law for the Republic of Ireland.

We were given ‘heads-up’ on this in November when a party colleague, James Browne T.D. made contact stating this intention.

Along with members of the Dublin Cycling Campaign and IBike Dublin, we met minister Troy in Leinster House and he reiterated his intentions.

Meeting with Fianna Fáil Transport spokesperson with DCC & IBikeDublin

Below is the Fianna Fáil amendment.

Fianna Fáil draft amendment for a Cyclist specific minimum passing distance law

It’s taken a lot of time and effort to get this to this stage.
The first significant move in this respect came in February, when Ciaran Cannon with the support of Regina Doherty launched MPDL as a private members bill.

Launch of Minimum Passing Distance Bill with Regina Doherty T.D. & Ciaran Cannon T.D.

At that stage, the bill received an exceptional amount of publicity and created much discussion. The aggressive nature of the commentary that many motorists were compelled to post to social media was a real indication of just how important this particular law really is. The confrontational reaction motorists displayed was actually a frightening example of the type of person who cyclists sometimes have to share the roads with each day.

Unfortunately despite the horrific year that was witnessed in the increased cyclist road toll, this bill wasn’t drawn out of the private members bill lottery system.

We (The Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 campaign) have been championing this cause now for over 4 and a half years and this move from Fianna Fáil is a very significant development.

During this time, we have seen another 13 jurisdictions adding this law which brings the total now to 42.

These places have seen fit to have this debate, wrung out the issues and consequences, enacted the legislation and moved on to still other important issues with respect to sharing of roads.

Now it’s time that we in Ireland do the same..!!

ACTION. ✅

Suggested action from Ciaran Cannon T.D.
On Robert Troy’s tweet
Dec 18th 2017

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to help make our roads safer and to help foster a growing sense of legitimacy for those who cycle.

We need to do this, not just for this current generation but for generations to come.

But this will not happen without YOUR intervention.  🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♂️

Many groups will oppose this. They have come out openly in their opposition in the past; The AA, The Irish Road Hauliers Association, Taxi Drivers for example..
YOUR voice will need to rise above the naysayers.

Write, email, etc. your local TDs and tell them how important this is to yourself, your family, your friends and community. Tell them in no uncertain terms that your future vote depends on it.
If you don’t get a reply, chase it up until you do.

This is a link to contacts for your local TDs. All you need to do is type in your address and your local TDs will be displayed. Write to them all, no matter which party..

Once you do, then share it with others on social media and encourage them to do likewise.

If you are a member of a cycling club or Tri club or other cycling group, spread the word.  🚵‍♂️🚵‍♂️🚴🏼‍♀️🚵🏾‍♀️

Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 will not be doing this forever..

This is your one shot..don’t leave it behind you!

Phil.