New minimum distance for cars passing cyclists to be introduced.

Leper said:
Brendan mentioned earlier that cyclists cause little or no injuries because of accidents. Tell that to the eastern european girl mowed down in Cork by a troop of uncaring cyclists who thought (and still think) they own every road, greenway, footpath in the country.
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So that is one example. Is it recent? Mr Earl had to go back years.

I have googled that but could only find examples of cyclists killed and injured by cars.

other than this one from 1998 https://www.irishtimes.com/news/gir...-critical-condition-in-cork-hospital-1.173293


Brendan
 
As a pedestrian I have used up my 9 lives already of close calls from cyclists barrelling along footpaths or through pedestrian lights.
But it happens...

The number of pedestrians left dead or seriously injured after being hit by cyclists has doubled in the past decade according to a Telegraph analysis of official data. In 2016 three pedestrians died in such incidents across Great Britain while a further 108 sustained serious injury.

As the number of cyclists increase, it's only a matter of time before the stats for such incidents start going up here also.
And I'd prefer pre-emptive action was taken to enforce the laws we have rather than the usual Irish approach of waiting for the tragic death before doing something.
 
3 pedestrians killed in Great Britain in a whole year.

That means very little apart from the fact the very few pedestrians were killed by cyclists.

How many of them were the fault of the cyclist? I would say very few.

You may have used up 9 lives, but I have saved at least 9 lives of stupid pedestrians just walking out in front of my bike, often on the phone.

Brendan
 
Hi Everyone,

  • The RSA do not currently record statistics for accidents caused by cyclists. As such, it's impossible to pull reliable recent data.
  • As cycling continues to grow in popularity, by default more cyclists making more journeys will lead to more accidents.

Also, I note with interest that the majority of the more vocal cyclists on AAM have failed to answer my questions in my previous post on this thread. To save them the effort of having to go back one single page on this discussion, here's the relevant quote:

MrEarl said:
....Out of interest, do the cyclists here think that there is capacity on a lot of roads around Dublin city (for example), to facilitate 1.5mtr of space between cyclists and cars, or say even bigger vehicles like buses, trucks etc ?

...If we take that question half a step further, what if there's a cyclist on both sides of the road, so there's then a potential 3mtr overall requirement, do you again think there's sufficient space ? Personally, I don't think there is on quite a few of our roads.
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.
 
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Brendan Burgess said:
1 metre on roads with a speed limit of less than 50 kmh.
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Hi Mr Earl

That reduces the problem.

The purpose of this law is not to add more points to Drivers' licenses.

It's to make drivers think about bicycles.

If someone passes me by at 1 metre going slowly, I don't mind.

It's the guys who cut into the inside lane at speed who don't mind brushing up against bicycles.

Brendan
 
I believe this has been suggested on the back of similar rules in Australia. See: http://www.amygillett.org.au/programs-resources/a-metre-matters

However, experience has been mixed, to say the least. For example, see: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-...ule-questioned-by-victoria-police-tac/7460358

My own opinion, as both a cyclist and a motorist, is that it's best not to bring in laws that will almost certainly won't be enforced, due in this case to the difficulty of doing so, although I can see the argument that even just by having it awareness may be raised.

My general opinion is that the behaviour of some cyclists makes it very difficult to have any sympathy for them: as well as ignoring most rules they are frequently infected with a particular blend of arrogance and self-righteousness. Equally, the behaviour of some motorists is equally as bad, with the added dimension of being potentially lethal.
 
MrEarl said:
H...Out of interest, do the cyclists here think that there is capacity on a lot of roads around Dublin city (for example), to facilitate 1.5mtr of space between cyclists and cars, or say even bigger vehicles like buses, trucks etc ? ...If we take that question half a step further, what if there's a cyclist on both sides of the road, so there's then a potential 3mtr overall requirement, do you again think there's sufficient space ? Personally, I don't think there is on quite a few of our roads.
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Yes...
 
OK Guys. I give up. Let's keep up the "Motorists are dreadful road users" - "Cyclists cause little or no accidents" - "Pedestrians are always in the right" - Let's all dig into our personal coffers and mount cameras on our handlebars, dashboards and on our chests. Let's keep putting up such viewing on Youtube (Ain't we great?). Let's keep together and defend our own six inches while the carnage continues unabated.

When everybody is wrong there is no point in being right. Every hour I see motorists driving through red traffic lights, cyclists making every effort to commit suicide, pedestrians with a death wish. Forums like this can lead the way to safer road use by all or they can keep shouting, keep showing the finger and waving fists. I prefer a safer outlook. And the safer option costs nothing - It's called Common Sense. The roadusers must start somewhere. So let it be us and lead by good example. Am I being naive?
 
Has the AG approved these measure yet? I hope not.

Be smart.

Be like the AG.

Don't put stupid unpoliceable laws on the statute books. We have more than enough already.

Question: Is there an expectation that a brainless lycra-clad cyclist worming his/her way through two lanes of traffic must be allowed 1.5 mtrs on either side of the bike? That's a total in excess of 9 ft, plus the width of the bike and rider. Where does this space come from?
 
mathepac said:
Where does this space come from?
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Well, you could limit narrow roads to cyclists only.

Or make them one way with a counterflow for cyclists.

Or maybe drivers just treat cyclists as they do other cars which might damage them - they keep their distance.

There are loads of solutions.

Brendan
 
Yes, unfortunately, I have to agree. I am naive regarding that it is too much to expect all road users to respect other road users. Each of us has a choice (a) We can remain part of the problem or (b) We can be part of the solution. There is no other choice.

We shed tears for victims of gun violence in the USA. We all agree that there should be change in the US gun laws. A car driven badly is more dangerous a weapon than any gun, a bicycle with an uncaring cyclist is just as bad. Stupid dangerous pedestrians are of no use too.

Twenty years ago it was chic to admit that you drove home after copious amounts of alcohol. It was hard-man stuff and got the admiration of many. It has become anti social to admit the same now. And don't expect any admiration, because it won't come. We can all influence the behaviour of others on our roads. In fact, it takes little effort to be more careful. Let's make it anti social to endure the rants of dangerous cyclists, uncaring motorists and stupid pedestrians. Let caring become the new sharing. The alternative is unthinkable.
 
Leper said:
A car driven badly is more dangerous a weapon than any gun, a bicycle with an uncaring cyclist is just as bad.
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Sorry Leper - this is the bit which the anti-cyclist brigade don't get.

A badly driven car is very dangerous which is why we have extensive laws, insurance and some enforcement of those laws.

If I carelessly crash my bicycle into a car, I will suffer more than the car driver.

If a car crashes into me on my bicycle, I will suffer more than the car driver.

That is why enforcing good laws against bad driving is more important than enforcing bad laws against cyclists.

Brendan
 
mathepac said:
Has the AG approved these measure yet? I hope not.
Question: Is there an expectation that a brainless lycra-clad cyclist worming his/her way through two lanes of traffic must be allowed 1.5 mtrs on either side of the bike? That's a total in excess of 9 ft, plus the width of the bike and rider. Where does this space come from?
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I may be lycra clad but I'm not brainless. And no, I've no expectation of that because it makes no sense and its not necessary. What I do need though is some protection from the morons who drive the narrower parts of the Enniskerry Road @100kph+ and overtake me in a dangerous and life threatening manner as I commute daily.
 
The single white line could go for miles, this is as bad as being stuck behind a tractor and not many follow the rules in those circumstances, in some countries they have to pull in if there are more than 8 cars behind.
 
I'ts great pointing the finger at others. We can all do it, but it is a waste of time laying blame on others for their use of the road. The only change of behaviour we can control is our own. Motorists can be more patient and use indicators and stop jumping red lights. Cyclists can keep in to the left more and pedestrians can stop jay walking. Anything else leads to chaos.

Good Example is the only way forward. We can lead by good example. The "I'm entitled to this, I'm entitled to that" mentality must end. It doesn't matter a whit if you arrive in work ten minutes late. The earth won't stop spinning on its axis as a result. We have seen some good example of mature road use over the freezing conditions of the past few days. When the temperatures rise so does our non tolerance of others. We all have a part to play . . . . and remember if you point the finger there are four of your fingers pointing back at you. I would advise motorists, cyclists, pedestrians to look in the bedroom mirror and see the person who is causing problems on our roads. Motorists and cyclists are in charge of a seriously dangerous weapon and you have no God given right to behave dangerously and cause any harm to others. Pedestrians must do the same. Let's man-up and resolve the problem for everybody.
 
roker said:
Wrong PGF2016, he can overtake but he must not cross the white line
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What you seem to miss is that a bike is like any other vehicle. What if a slow car was in front and there was a solid white line? You wait until it's safe and legal to pass. Same with a bike.
 
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