South Dublin County Council supports calls for motorists to Give Cyclists the Space to Ride Safe

03/05/2018

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

South Dublin County Council supports calls by the Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority in asking drivers to reduce their speeds and allow a safe distance when overtaking a cyclists.

The May Bank Holiday weekend is traditionally a busy weekend on the roads with additional road users such as cyclists and motorcyclist taking to the roads. In some areas, groups of riders make long journeys and it is important that motorists are aware of their presence on the road and they all should act accordingly and safe around each other.

A total of 55 people have died on the roads to date in 2018. This represents an increase of one death compared to last year. To date in 2018, a total of 6 cyclists have died compared to 4 cyclist deaths up to the same period last year. This follows a 50% increase in cyclist fatalities in 2017.

In response the RSA launched an awareness campaign in early March to educate drivers of the need to leave a safe distance when overtaking cyclists. The RSA recommends that drivers allow at least one metre overtaking distance when passing cyclists in speed zones up to 50km/hour and at least 1.5 metres when passing at speeds above 50km/hour.

Declan Keogh, South Dublin County Council’s Road Safety Officer said: “Six cyclist fatalities this early in the year is very worrying and it brings it home to us all how vulnerable a cyclist is on the roads. Every cyclist needs to ensure they are aware of their own fragility and vulnerability while on the road and it is each driver’s responsibility to ensure they take care while approaching and passing cyclists. The road is a shared space and we should all use it with safety in mind, and with courtesy and consideration for other road users.”

Ms Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said: “We are using the opportunity of the May Bank Holiday weekend to remind drivers to always allow safe passing distances for cyclists. We are very concerned about the increase in cycling fatalities and serious injuries across both 2017 and 2018 to date. As the weather improves and cycling continues to grow in popularity we will see more cyclists on our roads and the risks will increase. To protect cyclists we have launched a major road safety awareness campaign this year, asking motorists to pass cyclists at a safe distance and we are also investing in safe cycling training to teach both children and adults proper cycling skills. Last year the RSA invested €353,885 in cyclist safety awareness campaigns and cycling training nationwide.”

 Assistant Commissioner, David Sheahan, Garda National Roads Policing Unit, said: “We are calling on drivers to heed their speed, slow down and keep their eyes on the road. It is important to be conscious of cyclists at junctions, particularly when turning left, to check the various driver blind spots and allow plenty of space when overtaking a cyclist. Our message for cyclists is to realise that the rules of the road apply to them also. This means not cycling on footpaths, not weaving in and out of traffic, stopping at traffic lights and signalling your intent when turning left or right.”

Mr Phil Skelton of the ‘Staying Alive at 1.5’ campaign said, “I am delighted to see the RSA safe passing ad so prominently displayed on our national media. Anecdotally, we are hearing of safer interactions between bicycle riders and motorists as a result. We look forward to this message becoming prominent in the next edition of the Rules of the Road, due out shortly, where it can become part of driver training.”

“Unfortunately 2018 has seen 6 bicycle riders die on our roads and this is the unacceptable face of road safety.  May of last year was the most lethal for bicycle riders with 4 fatalities in that month alone. I would appeal to other road users to be extra vigilant of our vulnerable road users.”

 A total of 55 people have died on the roads to date in 2018. This represents an increase of one death compared to last year.

South Dublin County is one of four local authority areas in the Dublin region. South Dublin County Council provides and funds a broad range of services including housing, roads, walking and cycling routes, parks and playgrounds, libraries, sports facilities, litter control, arts centres, enterprise units, fire services, community infrastructure and financial supports. It also serves as a platform for local democracy with 40 councillors spread across six electoral areas.

Bounded by the River Liffey to the North and the Dublin Mountains to the South, the County lies 16 kilometres south west of Dublin city centre and has an administrative footprint of 223sq. kilometres. The County has nine main villages Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown, Rathfarnham, Tallaght, Templeogue, Saggart, Rathcoole and Newcastle and is bounded by adjoining counties of Wicklow, Kildare, Dublin City, Fingal and Dun Laoghaire.

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  Image 1 - Road Cycling