Stayin' Alive at 1.5 (safe cycling Ireland)

Lobbying Organisation Stayin' Alive at 1.5 (safe cycling Ireland)

Date published 30 Jun, 2016

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Transport

Period 1 May, 2016 to 31 Aug, 2016

Specific Details Lobbying for the enactment of Minimum Passing Distance Law (MPDL) of a 1.5 metre safe overtaking space of bicycle riders. This would involve altering/enhancing our current overtaking law as set out in Section No.10 of SI No.182 of 1997. This would bring Ireland in line with 26 US states, 2 Canadian Provinces, 4 Australian states and territories, Portugal, France, Belgium etc.

Intended results To have our overtaking law altered Section No.10 of SI No.182 of 1997. To have our rules of the road fully amended to fully reflect this MPDL (this process has already begun after some meetings) The roll our of safe overtaking signage in Ireland as in US, Australia, France, Spain etc. The recognition of bicycle riders as legitimate road users to others that we share the road with. improved safety by providing a definition of a specified overtaking distance. To provide motorists with a clear, unambiguous, easily recognised measure when overtaking cyclists in line with many jurisdictions. To reduce the risk of cyclist/motorist crashes and also cyclist crashes caused by being side-swiped (not necessarily hit) by motor vehicles. To ultimately assist in reducing cyclist fatalities and serious injuries. To provide cyclists with space, a dynamic envelope, to avoid obstacles (e.g. pot-holes, glass, etc.)

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Phil Skelton

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Ciaran Cannon (Currently employed as a DPO) - (-)

Regina Doherty (Currently employed as a DPO) - (-)

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? Write to transport minister. Sign a petition on Change.org. Done through communications through social media, flyers etc.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Social Media All TDs Before the last election we contacted each party by phone and followed up with an additional email that could be sent out to each member. Our Change.org petition has now been signed by 3300 people and our paper petition had another 1500 signatories.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

Specific emails sent to previous transport ministers, Leo Varadkar and Paschal Donohoe

Meeting (1)

Meeting last year in Dáil with then Transport minister, Paschal Donohoe which was facilitated by TDs Regina Doherty and Ciaran Cannon.

Email (100+)

Through our social media page of www.facebook.com/stayinaliveat1.5 and our website of www.safecyclingireland.org, we link a suggested email to forward to the transport ministe.

Social Media (100+)

We regularly tag relevant ministers in social media posts on MPDL and outcomes overseas.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)

Shane Ross Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)