Sir, - Mr Andrew Robinson (November 27th) seems a bit confused regarding the Irish road traffic legislation. Under Irish law a bicycle is a vehicle and a cyclist is a driver. To quote the 1961 Act "driving" includes managing and controlling and, in relation to a bicycle, riding and "driver" and other cognate words shall be construed accordingly".
Mr Robinson is partially correct in equating cyclists with pedestrians in that both these road user groups have traditionally enjoyed a common law right to make lawful use of public roads. Motorists on the other hand have no such right and must obtain special permits (licences) under the provisions of the Motor Car Act of 1903 and the succeeding road traffic acts.
The requirement of cyclists to display lights was actively resisted by cycling organisations prior to its imposition. This was on the reasonable grounds that it represented a dilution of the duty to take care while overtaking and that it would encourage speeding by motorists. It was also argued that requiring cyclists to carry lights would indirectly increase the threat posed by motorists to pedestrians.
Cyclists and pedestrians whether lit or unlit will only be routinely in danger if they find themselves sharing the public road with cars being driven at speeds "exceeding that which will enable its driver to bring it to a halt within the distance which the driver can see to be clear". The latter practice is of course expressly forbidden by Article 7 of the Traffic and Parking regulations (SI 182/97). - Yours, etc.,
Shane Foran, MSc, Safety Officer, Galway Cycling Campaign, William Street West, Galway.