Sir, – As a motorist and cyclist, I can't helping noticing that both types of road user who write to The Irish Times are very happy to "share the road" with the others, but find "being stuck behind" totally unacceptable. – Yours, etc,
JOE HACKETT,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – Overlooked groups in this debate are drivers who believe they can ignore, where cyclists are concerned, the rules of the road (and laws of the land), and cyclists who observe those same rules and laws, yet are constantly endangered by the former.
On my daily commute by bicycle, I rigorously observe traffic lights, lane discipline, safe and early signalling, care for pedestrians and due attention to traffic and potential problems on the road ahead, behind and to either side. I wear reflective safety equipment and have my lights operating at all times, front and rear.
Despite all of this, I am put in repeated and unwarranted mortal danger, usually several times daily, by obnoxious motorists using one or several of the following gambits: overtaking me dangerously and cutting in on approach to a red or orange light; similarly, overtaking me through a junction, lighted or not; exceeding the speed limit in order to overtake me, often on a hill or blind bend; exiting side roads in front of me at an unsafe distance, frequently followed by a deceleration or hard stop; failing to use their turn signals when manoeuvring, stopping or changing lanes; failing to give way to my approach from their right on a roundabout; driving, parking or stopping without emergency in a mandatory cycle lane, often refusing to move when asked to do so (despite such a request not being a necessary legality); passing me, at speed, with less than the required 1.5 metre lateral clearance (often less than one imperial foot); aggressive and repeated sounding of their horn when “stuck” behind me as I give sufficient clearance to a series of potholes, wayward pedestrians or parked cars on the left side of the road (despite my signalling my manoeuvre and invariably travelling at or close to the posted speed limit of 30kph).
All of these practices are illegal, yet are rarely, if ever, punished by An Garda Síochána. Additionally, they almost always oblige me to suddenly and dangerously adjust my bicycle, at speed, in traffic.
Cyclists should not break any laws, for sure. But, considering the unchecked, reckless and often downright dangerous attitude of many (but not all) motorists, perhaps your readers would be better advised to begin a campaign to educate all road users as to their rights, responsibilities and requirements under law, as well as a universal review and subsequent enforcement of said laws, for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike.
Finally, cyclists do not block traffic, we are traffic. Bad cycling annoys motorists, but bad driving kills cyclists. – Yours, etc,
GREG SCULLY,
Cork.
Sir, – Drivers must wear seatbelts; motorcyclists must wear helmets.
Why does the Government not make it compulsory for cyclists to wear helmets and high-visibility bibs?
Cyclists are so vulnerable when out on the roads or on city streets, I regard this as a safety imperative, but the matter is completely ignored by the relevant authorities.
However, I can see the problem this might create for users of the Dublin Bikes scheme; they would have to carry their own helmets.
By the way, I have been a daily cyclist for over 50 years. – Yours, etc,
HARRY HAVELIN,
Glasnevin,
Dublin 9.