Public not informed on new cycling laws

The state has failed to adequately inform the public on new cycling laws adopted by the House of Representatives in January 2018 and due to come into force on October 31, said Green MP Charalambous Theopemptou.

The new laws contain regulations such as that a cyclist must have both front and back lights switched on when dark and that she/he must drive on the left on cycling routes.

Although a six-month time frame was given to the government to inform the public, nothing was done, Theopemptou argues.

“The news laws contain responsibilities for drivers and cyclists that did not exist before, but nobody was informed about them. People do not know that some things they have done until now will become illegal soon. The government did not even prepare one informational TV spot for the public. The six-month time frame we gave to the government expires in October, however the new laws remain essentially unknown,” he said.

According to police statistics, during 1/1/2008-31/5/2018, 288 people were involved in cycling accidents, with 20 losing their lives and 167 seriously injured.

The new laws:

• Any cyclist driving on a road or a cycling route that does not pay adequate caution to other persons who use the road is committing an offence and if convicted will be liable to a fine up to €1,000 and/or a three-month imprisonment.
• Any person using a bike more than 120cm wide, without acquiring a permit, is committing an offence and if convicted will be liable to a fine up to €1,000 and/or a six-month imprisonment.
• Any person driving a motorised vehicle who refuses, neglects or fails to adjust his vehicle’s speed and route in order to facilitate the movement of a bicycle or manoeuvres his vehicle in a way that puts the cyclist in danger or turns in a way that cuts off or obstructs the course of the cyclist is committing an offence if convicted will be liable to a fine up to €1,000 and/or a six-month imprisonment.
• Any person driving a motorised vehicle, which drives, stops or parks her/his vehicle on a cycling route is committing an offence and if convicted will be liable to a fine up to €1,000.
• Any person using a bicycle with the lights off is committing an offence and if convicted will be liable to a fine up to €500.