Sir, - So the killing grounds of Dublin City's streets continue to take their toll of cyclists, while garda∅ are virtually invisible in terms of detection and enforcement of traffic offences committed by far too many drivers (making left turns and sweeping cyclists around the corner, lane changing from an outer lane on top of cyclists in the inner lane, illegally occupying cycle paths or lanes, etc.).
We are told that public policy is directed at encouraging motorists to leave their cars at home and to take to other forms of transport for commuting.
There is no hope of convincing car drivers to change to cycling as long as the reality and the perception is that it is hazardous to cycle the streets of the city. For every death of a cyclist there are probably hundreds of other accidents and incidents that go unreported or unrecorded. As a result there is no investigation and appropriate action by the Garda.
It would seem that unless there is a corpse there is massive official indifference to investigating traffic incidents involving cyclists. Cyclists seem to be seen as expendable or of a lower caste in garda∅'s eyes. No amount of cycle tracks, lanes or paths can make commuting by bike safe in the absence of proper and rigorous enforcement of traffic discipline. .
In addition the instruction provided to learner drivers by schools should include a mandatory module about protocol to follow when driving in the presence of cyclists.
In fact, it would be a good idea if every car driver (where feasible) had to do part of the driving test using a bike to re-learn what it is like to be on a bike on the city's streets. - Yours, etc.
Michael McKillen, Seaview Terrace, Dublin 4.