IRELAND SHOULD LEARN FROM DENMARK’S SAFER CYCLING MODEL BY NUALA NOLAN, GALWAY

Dear Editor,

Denmark is one of the most successful countries when it comes to the uptake of cycling. In Copenhagen there are miles of cycling lanes covering the whole city. Cycle lanes are divided by a kerb or marked which ensures the safety of pedestrians and separates the cyclist from motorists.
Cyclists are obliged to follow the rules of the road the same as any motorist and can be issued fines for breaking them. In the interest of pedestrian safety cyclists cannot cycle on public paths or dedicated Pedestrian only streets as is the case in other mainland European countries.
It is a known fact that shared spaces between pedestrians, cyclists and motorists cause accidents. Cyclists who ride a bike on a public road in Ireland, must have their bikes fitted with reflectors and lights to ensure that they are visible. Bikes on public roads must comply with the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations. These laws have not been enforced in recent years, they have actually been ignored.
In addition to lights, your bike must also have: A bell, which can be heard from a reasonable distance; Front and rear brakes (unless it has one fixed wheel, where it needs only one brake); A rear reflector that can be seen from a reasonable distance. Cyclists are not supposed to ride on footpaths.
They should give reasonable consideration to other users of the public space giving full awareness to the fact that many people have hearing and mobility issues especially the elderly.
If the rules we already have in place are not enforced in the interest of safety, any increase in the uptake of cycling in Ireland will result in frequent accidents especially with the increase of E-bike and E-Scooters mostly to elderly pedrestrians.
Yours Sincerely,
Nuala Nolan

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