Comments on: Cyclists in Dublin facts & figures on accidents

By: AvidIrishReader

AvidIrishReader — Thu, 12 May 2011 18:18:36 +0000

Eoin, you are correct to mention drivers that don’t check wing mirrors nor use their indicators.

But it really boils down to a change in attitude from everyone: cyclists, drivers and pedestrians; and perhaps some joined-up thinking when it comes to cycling lanes and the surfaces on them.

By: AvidIrishReader

AvidIrishReader — Thu, 12 May 2011 06:56:45 +0000

Some of these statistics are not only very sad, but quite shocking; that there were 8 deaths related to ‘left-turning vehicles’ definitely tells us that something is wrong with how traffic – cyclists included – interacts at junctions.

Apart from the reference to ‘enforcement of legislation regarding the use of bicycle lights’, among your recommendations there is no mention of ‘improving cycling behaviour’.

In all of these reports which draw on Garda statistics, there’s no mention of safe or responsible cycling. As an experienced cyclist, I’m shocked at the poor standard displayed by cyclists across Dublin – total disregard for their own safety, let along road rules and guidelines.

While some of your recommendations are commendable, cyclists themselves must shoulder part of the blame for the consequences of decisions made while cycling: people are only responsible for their own actions – not how others behave.

By: eoin

eoin — Thu, 05 May 2011 09:37:08 +0000

informative article but i find it strange that the top four types of cycle accidents are caused by drivers or passengers in cars, yet there is no recommendation for the education of drivers as to the needs of cyclists in the city. I’ve spent a number of years working full-time as a cyclist in dublin and in my opinion the vast, vast majority of cycle accidents could be avoided by drivers making very small changes to their behaviour that would dramatically increase their awareness of what is going on around them in the street. It seems to me that most drivers in this city view cyclists as something that they should be mildly aware of but that they should never have to change their actions due to, and along with this mentality comes the attitude that cyclists should always get out of a drivers way. I would posit that the person in control of a tonne or more of metal powered by a massive engine should hold some responsibility towards the people around them when they use it.
ok i’m gettin a bit ranty now but drivers need to use their mirrors and indicators properly and more often in this town……it would result in a lot less people finishing their bike ride in an ambulance !

By: wildnorthlands

wildnorthlands — Wed, 04 May 2011 11:45:15 +0000

I nearly met my doom in Dublin when I was wheeling my bike across a pedestrian crossing with a green light. A motorist came out of nowhere and screeched to a halt about an inch from me. drivers in Dublin are completely bonkers!