Sir, – Liam Cooke (Letters, April 14th) is dismayed by the cyclists he sees around him, sinning merrily and shouting cheerily.
Clearly he would be happier on a bike himself. He says “Motorists have more to lose than cyclists.” No, sorry, I don’t get that. “Cycling in the cities is a dangerous practice” – statistically, not as dangerous as driving, or being driven. Anecdotally (that is to say, in my experience) cycling in Dublin is a lot safer than it was 50 years ago, when few drivers used their indicators or mirrors and lane discipline was non-existent.
“Cycle lanes are not always available” —nor can they ever be universal. Problems arise where cycle lanes suddenly cease, as they must, whatever the budget.
But as Liam and others join us, surely our ubiquity will give us the best protection, while the remaining drivers fume in dismay at our merriment. Yours, etc,
ANDREW ROBINSON,
Marlborough Road,
Dublin 4
Sir, – I must repeat my call for education on the rules of the road. The attitudes expressed by Liam Cooke in response to my letter (April 11th) demonstrate precisely why it is needed. It is hard to know which is more worrying: that Mr Cooke believes motorists can “safely” break red lights or that he thinks a motorist fined for such behaviour has more to lose than a cyclist, who could pay with his life when others fail to obey the law. Yours, etc,
GARRET LEDWITH,
Tudor Road,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6
Sir, – Cyclists breaking red lights should at least shout a warning. I would suggest something along the lines of “I’m cycling to save the Earth!” Thus elderly or encumbered pedestrians could take evasive action knowing there’s a strong moral reason why they are being terrorised. Yours, etc,
BRIAN AHERN,
Meadow Copse,
Clonsilla,
Dublin 15