Cycle Safety – Helmets & Hi-Vis

Politicians, Gardaí, Road Safety Authority (RSA) personnel, medical professionals, and media commentators frequently raise the issue of mandatory high-visibility (hi-vis) vests and helmets for cyclists in response to increasing road fatalities. While A&E doctors often support mandatory use, community health practitioners tend to oppose it. Most advocacy groups, including the Maynooth Cycling Campaign, also oppose mandatory requirements. We are not opposed to safety gear itself, but we believe the decision should remain with the individual cyclist. Evidence from Australia shows that mandatory helmet laws led to a decline in cycling levels, resulting in societal health costs that far outweighed the savings from injury prevention.

The latest push for mandatory gear follows concerns about e-bike and scooter injuries in countries like the Netherlands. We note that many of these collisions involve illegal e-bikes that do not require pedalling or exceed the 25km/h assist limit, effectively making them e-mopeds. Like much of Irish road safety legislation, there is little enforcement of these distinctions by An Garda Síochána. We welcome the government’s recent decision to exclude pedal cyclists from any new mandatory helmet or hi-vis requirements.

Road Safety Authority

The Maynooth Cycling Campaign is disappointed by the government’s reversal on the fundamental reorganisation of the RSA. We echo the Irish Cycling Campaign’s concerns regarding:

• Institutional and financial adherence to car dominance.
• A “cultural blindness” to the needs of vulnerable road users.
• Failure to advocate for better road design and effective enforcement.
• Silence on the rapid growth of large, dangerous private vehicles (SUVs). 

We must stop placing the burden of road safety on children. We are appalled by the RSA’s “Hi-Glo Silver” promotion, which pushes safety responsibility onto the youngest road users. Children should not need hi-vis gear just to play outside. The RSA is past its “best-before” date. 

Ireland & Climate Change Targets

Last month, Marie Donnelly, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council, informed the Budget Oversight Committee that Ireland is on track to fail its legal obligation of a 51% reduction in carbon emissions by 2031. Even in a best-case scenario, the EPA estimates emissions will only be 23% lower by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. With the cost of this failure estimated between €3 billion and €27 billion, the question remains: who will be held accountable? More importantly, who will pay for the transport sector’s failure—taxpayers, motorists, or vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists?

St. Brigid’s Festival & Bike Week 2026

We were delighted to participate in the Sallins Spring Festival over the St. Brigid’s Bank Holiday with our trishaw. Looking ahead, Bike Week 2026 runs from 9th–17th May. We have applied for funding for several local events; stay tuned for more details.

Maynooth Cycling Campaign is an independent local lobby group for better cycling facilities in Maynooth and Kildare generally. If you would like to support our efforts, we welcome new members. Why not join us – you can find details here.