Irish Transport Minister says no to mandatory helmet law

QUOTE:
After the Fine Gael politician Alan Dillon made calls for a mandatory helmet law for cyclists in Irish parliament last month, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has now categorically ruled it out after citing "international evidence" that such a law could lead to a drop in cycling numbers.

Ryan said: "International evidence is that mandatory helmet legislation acts as a major disincentive to cycling such that the net impact of the legislation on public health is significantly negative."

Ryan, the leader of Ireland's Green Party and a former bike shop owner, recently secured a huge financial boost for cycling and walking in the country, with €360 million going towards schemes such as protected cycleways and expanded pavements over the next five years, according to Forbes (link is external); indeed, 20% of Ireland's total transport budget will be spent on cycling and walking, with two thirds going towards public transport.

Ryan's response to Dillon's proposal was the first time he had made his opinions known publicly regarding calls for mandatory helmets.

https://road.cc/content/news/cycling...ly-2020-275411

On 14/07/2020 12:39, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
After the Fine Gael politician Alan Dillon made calls for a mandatory helmet law for cyclists in Irish parliament last month, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has now categorically ruled it out after citing "international evidence" that such a law could lead to a drop in cycling numbers.

Ryan said: "International evidence is that mandatory helmet legislation acts as a major disincentive to cycling such that the net impact of the legislation on public health is significantly negative."

Ryan, the leader of Ireland's Green Party and a former bike shop owner, recently secured a huge financial boost for cycling and walking in the country, with €360 million going towards schemes such as protected cycleways and expanded pavements over the next five years, according to Forbes (link is external); indeed, 20% of Ireland's total transport budget will be spent on cycling and walking, with two thirds going towards public transport.

Ryan's response to Dillon's proposal was the first time he had made his opinions known publicly regarding calls for mandatory helmets.

https://road.cc/content/news/cycling...ly-2020-275411

Did he declare a conflict of interest and decline to either speak or
vote on the matter?

On Tuesday, 14 July 2020 12:39:37 UTC+1, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
After the Fine Gael politician Alan Dillon made calls for a mandatory helmet law for cyclists in Irish parliament last month, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has now categorically ruled it out after citing "international evidence" that such a law could lead to a drop in cycling numbers.

Ryan said: "International evidence is that mandatory helmet legislation acts as a major disincentive to cycling such that the net impact of the legislation on public health is significantly negative."

Ryan, the leader of Ireland's Green Party and a former bike shop owner, recently secured a huge financial boost for cycling and walking in the country, with €360 million going towards schemes such as protected cycleways and expanded pavements over the next five years, according to Forbes (link is external); indeed, 20% of Ireland's total transport budget will be spent on cycling and walking, with two thirds going towards public transport.

Ryan's response to Dillon's proposal was the first time he had made his opinions known publicly regarding calls for mandatory helmets.

https://road.cc/content/news/cycling...ly-2020-275411

Outlawing driver seatbelts and airbags would save more lives.