The recently-launched Road Safety Authority (RSA) campaign of radio ads highlights the risks of injuries and loss of life posed to cyclists by the Irish road network. It will scare cyclists off the road, according to advocacy groups Cyclist.ie. ‘This goes against EU, Irish and local government active travel policy, and is simply contrary to common sense’, said Mike McKillen, chair of national advocacy group Cyclist.ie. EU-wide, public policy is directed at persuading commuters to leave their cars behind in the driveway and get on their bikes to go to work, college or school. The roll-out of many public bike schemes across the EU is testament to this new urge to get citizens cycling. Continue reading Counter-productive RSA campaign a ‘red herring’, say cyclists, because it scaremongers about the risks in cycling →

I am writing this submission from my position as chairman of ‘Cyclist.ie’, the all-island umbrella body for utility cyclists. I was born in Belfast and lived there for part of my childhood years. All my relatives live in Northern Ireland.

I would urge that you listen to what experienced cyclists (Cyclists Touring Club, NI Cycling Initiative, many individual cyclists, etc.) have been saying to you about this Bill. Its original proponents may mean well but what you, as legislators, have to consider is the unintended consequences of introducing it into law.

I would urge that you consider your answer to these two fundamental questions below:

1. Is the Bill going to reduce significantly the incidence of road traffic collisions involving a cyclist and a motorised vehicle?
2. Is the Bill going to reduce significantly the incidence of head injuries leading to death or morbidity in such collisions?

The peer-reviewed research evidence suggests that the answer will be ‘no’ to both these questions. The CTC and others have provided you with the references to this literature. Continue reading Letter to NI Assembly on Helmet Law →