New laws are coming into effect to regulate the 'dangerous overtaking of cyclists'.
Legislation introduced today by Transport Minister Shane Ross will include new fines and extra penalty points.
Dangerous overtaking in general is already an offence, attracting three penalty points and a €80 fine.
An attempt earlier this year to introduce a minimum passing distance for drivers overtaking cyclists was scrapped after the Attorney General raised concerns about how it would be enforced.
Cycling Advocate, Phil Skelton, says it should give confidence to cyclists and encourage them to take to the road;
"The legislation sends a clear unambiguous signal to drivers that cyclists have a legitimate right to the roads and recognises cyclists as legitimate road users."
Of the 142 fatalities on Irish roads last year, nine were cyclists.
