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Fixed penalty fines could be on the way for cyclists but a registration system for cyclists has been ruled out according to Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe.
The news comes at Minister Donohoe joined with Gardai and the RSA to mark the beginning of National Bike Week. According to Mr Donohoe more than 10,000 cyclists converge on Dublin City Centre each day and their attitude "makes a huge difference to making the road safer".
He said he backs fixed charge penalty notice being considered by Gardaí saying he is looking "at the role that fixed charge notices could play in making the road safer for cyclists and other road users".
"Anything that changes behaviour makes a difference".
And he said it was "certainly not a bad idea" that cyclists should learn the rules of the road, adding: "It's not a game, it's a very serious pastime to go out on to the road."
A fixed penalty notice system would operate similarly to that in place for motorists, giving errant cyclists a fixed charge fine, with the possibility of a larger fine on court conviction, but would not involve a points system as cyclists are not required to have licenses.
"That is something which I will be making a final decision on in the coming weeks", Mr Donohoe said. However, he said he was not considering registration for bicycles or licenses for their users.