34 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons charged with riding a bicycle without a light in each of the years from 1997 to 1999. [6673/00]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that riding a bicycle without a light is an offence under the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963, as amended. Under these regulations a bicycle must have a front and rear light, duly lit, and a reflector during lighting up time.

The enforcement of the regulations is given a high priority by the gardaí as part of their overall road safety strategy. Offences are dealt with by way of caution, an oral warning on the spot to an offender and prosecution. The number of prosecutions taken by the gardaí in respect of 1997 and 1998 is set out in the following tabular statement.