Sir, – As a regular cyclist in many parts of the world I am bemused by the animosity Irish regulatory bodies and politicians display toward cyclists.
In Chicago, in the land of the automobile, motorists display an almost religious observance of cycle lanes.
In Dublin, the reverse is true. I cycle through Ranelagh village almost daily and there are usually at least half-a-dozen vehicles parked on the cycle lane – it’s by no means a long stretch and I’m talking about only one side of the street!
In Ballsbridge, I’m pushed into the middle of the busy road by the informal taxi rank which seems to be a permanent feature on the double yellow lines outside the Bridge pub.
As for the cyclist boxes at many traffic lights, motorists invariably encroach on them. And many traffic lights go from green to red so quickly that one may be caught in the middle of a new traffic flow like a rabbit in headlights.
At many locations the width available for a car beside the cycle lane is so narrow that even a Fiat 500 would have difficulty avoiding encroaching on the cycle lane.
Encouraging more cycling would be beneficial for both Dublin traffic flows and for the environment.
Our elected representatives and our gardaí pay lip-service to these objectives but hypocritically fail to follow through.
– Yours, etc,
TED MOONEY
Milltown Road,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – Seán O'Cuinn (Letters, July 9th) puzzles whether it is lawful to cycle on footpaths.
What has law got to do with red light breaking, lane weaving, footpath cycling, pedestrian endangering, accident causing, obnoxious gesturing cyclists?
Perhaps that song from Tina Turner could be changed to “What’s law got to do with it?”.
– Yours, etc,
BOB BARRY
Ashbourne,
Co Meath.