Cyclists welcome changes to Traffic Regulations

Traffic law changes end a grave injustice say cyclists. Cyclists celebrate end of unfair traffic regulation.

Cyclist.ie, the network for all the cycling campaigns in Ireland, has welcomed the recent ending of the regulation requiring mandatory use of cycle tracks by cyclists. The removal of the obligation was long sought for and was included as Objective 15.4 of the Government’s National Cycle Policy Framework (April, 2009). The changes to the Traffic Regulations were released by the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar TD in September and became law earlier this month. As acknowledged in the National Cycle Policy Framework, much of the cycling infrastructure constructed in Ireland is of a poor standard and can place cyclists in a dangerous position – such as inside turning HGVs.

Example of ill-designed cycle lane

Continue reading Cyclists welcome changes to Traffic Regulations

Pedestrians and cyclists warned in road safety plan

PEDESTRIANS, CYCLISTS and bikers in the Dublin area are to be targeted by Gardaí as part of a new high-profile road safety campaign.

The “casualty reduction” plan, launched yesterday, will see “the full rigours of the law” applied to cyclists who go through red lights, cycle on footpaths or travel the wrong way on a one-way street facing increased levels of Garda enforcement.

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The frogger, the switcheroo, the pop-up and the invisible bike lane

THERE IS a perversely ingenious network that criss-crosses Dublin, appearing, disappearing, morphing into something else entirely. It is the city’s system of cycle lanes. Although, “lane” is not always the best description. Cycle-coasters, would perhaps best describe their adrenaline-boosting thrill-a-minute properties. Read article

 

 

Cut ’em off at the pass: A bus crosses lines marking the cycle lane on South Great George’s Street. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien

Cyclists must steer clear of the threat of parked cars

Car “dooring”, or being hit by an open car door, poses significant risks for cyclists, yet many cyclists ride eye-wateringly close to parked cars.

I once attended a cycle instructor training course, where one of the first things we learned was to ride “a door and a bit more” away from parked cars, even on narrow roads. To many cyclists this is counterintuitive as moving cars can feel – and act – like the most threatening thing on the roads.

The danger comes either from hitting a door or swerving to avoid one and falling into the path of oncoming traffic. Read article

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