Dublin Cycling Campaign cyclist killed Rathfarnham

The latest incidents have included the tragic deaths of cyclists. They have taken place within such a short space of time that the spotlight is back on inaction over cycling safety by State authorities (File photo)

 

Dublin Cycling Campaign action as club cyclist killed in Rathfarnham

 

The Dublin Cycling Campaign has said it will be announcing news of a “major action” following the death of the latest cyclist on the roads.

On Friday afternoon a south Dublin club cyclist lost his life. He was in collision with a road sweeper truck in Rathfarnham.

The victim has not been named by the Garda. His was the 13th death of a cyclist on the roads of  the Republic so far this year.

The death in Rathfarnham was the second cycling fatality in a week. A man, aged 70 years, was killed while cycling in Meath last Sunday.

And Friday’s fatality followed a serious collision in the North on Thursday. The victim, who was struck by a van in Co Derry, is in critical condition in hospital in Belfast.

The recent series of incidents have followed quickly after each other. And cycling safety has once again emerged as an issue in the media.

The Irish Cycling Advocacy Network had just issued a statement on Friday about last Sunday’s death with news of the cyclist’s death in Dublin emerged.

 

Dublin Cycling Campaign action after Rathfarnham cyclist death

And now another group, the Dublin Cycling Campaign, has said it is planning an action.

“The shocking, sad and all too familiar news has reached us that another cyclist has been killed,” it said in a statement.

“(The) victim was killed by a truck while cycling on Whitechurch Road, Rathfarnham.

“He is the 13th person to be killed while cycling in 2017. And his death, like all the others, is totally unacceptable to us.

“We will be announcing a major action to take place in Dublin in the coming days to highlight the deaths of cyclists.”

It will highlight the lack of action to protect cyclists by Minister Shane Ross and several state agencies.

These included the Department of Transport, the National Transport Authority, Dublin City Council, and the Garda Síochána.