Sir, - Eimear Coffey (November 15th), asserts that in her estimation "there are more bad cyclists out there than there are bad drivers". This hardly seems likely given that, relatively speaking, so few individuals choose to cycle and so many individuals (i.e. one per car) choose to drive. Moreover, surely as a professed cyclist she can see that the problem is not one of bad cyclists but rather appalling cycling conditions and surface quality.
Ms Coffey doesn't allow for the fact that while most cyclists are also car drivers, very few drivers have been near a bike since they stopped wearing short pants. I suggest then that while the cyclist is often aware of the difficulties facing the motorist, the motorist is largely ignorant of the difficulties (and rights, and presence) of the cyclist.
Finally, Ms Coffey should look at the mortality rate on Irish roads over the last 10 years. How many cyclists? - Yours, etc.,
Paddy Monahan, Castle Avenue, Dublin 3.