Hi-vis vests should be mandatory for cyclists, e-scooter users and pedestrians say local Councillors

Several local County Councillors are backing calls for mandatory hi-visibility clothing for cyclists, e-scooter users and pedestrians at night.

Tipperary County Council's elected members have decided to press the Minister for Transport to introduce a law to make it mandatory for pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter users to wear hi-vis jackets or vests in the interest of public safety.

A letter from the council requesting this legislation is to be sent to Minister Darragh O'Brien following the unanimous passing of a motion proposing the safety measure at the April meeting of Tipperary County Council last week.

The motion that initially cited just pedestrians and cyclists was tabled by five Fine Gael councillors Phyll Bugler, Mary Hanna Hourigan, Tom Acheson, Mark Fitzgerald and Marie Murphy, who pointed to the extreme difficulty motorists have in seeing pedestrian and cyclists who don't wear this high visibility clothing, especially on narrow county roads and in towns.

Cllr Bugler, who proposed the motion, highlighted how difficult it was for drivers to see cyclists and walkers wearing dark clothing as night fell.

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Independent Cashel Cllr Liam Browne said he agrees with the motion but its wording was a “little bit open” and needed to be “tightened up” in relation to pedestrians who don’t always need it.