We might not be seeing any more rickshaws on Dublin’s streets if this is passed.
RTÉ have reported that the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, will propose a ban on rickshaws due to the safety risk that they pose to the public.
The main concerns revolve around the issues of dangerous driving, illegal movements in pedestrian zones, a lack of regulations and fears about public safety.
A recent National Transport Authority survey discovered that 57% of rickshaw passengers have reported that they were involved in accidents or near misses. The NTA said “this is a shocking statistic.”
Dublin councillor Ciaran Cuffe has previously said the situation in Dublin is getting out of control.
“They appear not to have any insurance. There’s documented evidence that they are crashing into cars and that they are tumbling over with two or three passengers in them,” he said. Fianna Fáil councillor Daithi Di Roiste has also previously said that rickshaws on the streets of Dublin represent “a public safety danger.”
Minister Ross is due to appear before the Oireachtas transport committee this morning to discuss the issue of regulation. It’s believed that an out-and-out ban is preferable and easier to manage than a series of licenses, regulations and rules being implemented.
In fact, the recent survey by the NTA also showed that the majority of those surveyed preferred an out-and-out ban on rickshaws as opposed to regulation.
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