Sir, – Three years ago I decided to use my bicycle to get around Dublin instead of my car. I was immediately astounded by the total disrespect of many cyclists for the rules of the road and, critically, for other road users.
When I stopped at red lights, as I am supposed to, I was on more than one occasion verbally abused by other cyclists for disrupting their progress, with one particular gentleman being enraged for allowing an elderly pedestrian to cross the road when the light was red for us. I left Dublin a year later, but if I returned I wouldn’t go back on the bike.
Regarding Terry Moylan’s suggestion (July 22nd) that cyclists don’t need to observe the rules of the road or can do so according to their own judgment of what is right, I wonder how we would respond if car drivers argued that they should be allowed to determine when to cross red traffic lights.
In my experience, cyclists are often a menace to pedestrians and each other, and occasionally, through unpredictable behaviour, make cars swerve and thereby endanger other road users.
Many think nothing about riding on footpaths or the wrong way up one way streets. While I know that other cyclists adhere to the rules, it is time to take steps to ensure that all know they must do so.
And let’s have no more silly reasons why cyclists should be allowed to break the law. – Yours, etc,
Prof FERDINAND
von PRONDZYNSKI,
Tarves,
Aberdeenshire,
Scotland.
Sir, – Coming through Carrick-on-Shannon this morning I saw a young lad of about 12, with high-visibility vest and helmet, coming out of a newsagent, getting on this bike and cycling along the pavement through town, dodging pedestrians. Should I have reported him? Have him fined? Or should we ensure that all primary school pupils have six hours of cycle skills training (as in Britain) to ensure they know how to cycle safely and confidently on the road? This would have the added benefit that if they become drivers as adults, they would treat cyclists with respect. – Yours, etc,
PATRICIA GARDINER,
Martin Savage Terrace,
Sligo,
Dublin 2.