Sir, – Should the Road Safety Association prove imaginative enough to run Jean Dunne’s proposed campaign to ask cyclists to “respect the right of pedestrians to the footpath” (August 11th) I hope they can get around to adding a note to the same effect for motorists parking on our rightful space, often forcing elderly pedestrians, schoolchildren, buggy-pushing parents, wheelchair-users and others into heavy traffic; and often when there is unused free parking within strolling range. – Yours, etc,
DAMIEN FLINTER,
Castleview Estate,
Headford,
Co Galway
Sir, – Jean Dunne would undoubtedly disapprove of my daily habit of cycling on the footpath. In my defence, it’s the only safe way to overtake pedestrians walking on the cycle path. – Yours, etc,
MICK McMULLIN,
Granville Road,
Dún Laoghaire
A chara, – I agree with Cllr Michael Gleeson’s call (News, August 12th) for cyclists to start making themselves audibly noticeable again. But it might take more than bells.
When I cycled in Dublin I found that a polite “ding-ding” was generally insufficient to overcome the background traffic noise or dissuade that strange and incautious breed of jaywalkers who like to fling themselves into every break in motorised traffic with the abandon of lemmings heading for the cliff. So I added to my repertoire a horn which was activated ed by squeezing a black rubber bulb.
A sharp double toot of that not only made them jump out of their skin but, more importantly, back onto the safety of the pavement. It was, I think, a far better way of blowing them off the road than using my front wheel and handlebars. – Is mise,
REV PATRICK G BURKE,
Castlecomer,
Co Kilkenny