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Fianna Fail has said more needs to be done to ensure the safety of cyclists on Dublin roads.

The party's Dublin spokesman, John Lahart made the call following a number of recent serious accidents and fatal collisions in the city.

The Dublin South West TD said: “Great progress has made in recent years to encourage people to leave their cars at home and to instead cycle to work.

"Almost 15.5 million trips have been taken on Dublin Bikes since it began operating in 2009.

"Fianna Fail has always been a party which prioritises sustainable transport and has been the party which has done the most to advance transport initiatives introducing the Bike to Work Scheme.

(Image: Twitter/@JohnLahart)

"In fact the number of cyclists in Dublin city has more than doubled over the last decade yet there has been little investment to provide safe and accessible cycling lanes.

“The issue of safety for cyclists is one that constituents regularly contact me about to raise their concerns.

"Any measures that make roads safer for cycling and walking must be welcomed.

"However, it is crucial that any new safety planning initiatives are scrutinised to ensure that they are enforceable and that they do not have unintended consequences."

He continued: “Cycling is a healthy, environmentally friendly way of travelling which must continue to be supported.

"Fianna Fáil supports the extension of cycle lanes and the expansion of the Dublin Bikes scheme into the suburbs of Dublin and the other Dublin local authority areas; Fingal, South Dublin and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.

"Key to the successful implementation of responsive design solutions to promote pedestrian and cyclist safety and comfort, is the issue of speed.

"The introduction of the 30km/hr limit is a starting point, but it is just one element of the greater, broader initiative that is required the tackle the increasing dangers on our capital’s roads."