Cycling Ireland has expressed its concern after a judge said cyclists on the streets of Dublin were unpredictable and had become "a nightmare". The comments by Cycling Ireland represent an unusual intervention by the national governing body but are likely to be welcomed by most of its members.
Judge James O’Donohoe made his remarks at the Circuit Civil Court as he reduced a cyclist's damages by 80 per cent, down to €17,628, after the cyclist suffered a brain injury and 12 soft tissue injuries in a crash with a motorcyclist.
“You never know with cyclists what they are going to do or anticipate what they are going to do,” Judge O’Donohoe said. “Cyclists have become a nightmare in Dublin.”
Cycling Ireland said it was concerned at the comments, adding "the language used in the comments made by the judge risks reinforcing harmful stereotypes about some of the most vulnerable people on our roads".
Advertisement
President of Cycling Ireland, Ciaran Cannon, who is also a former Dáil Deputy and former minister for state, said it was “disappointing to hear cyclists spoken about in this way".
"People who cycle are not an abstract group. They are parents, students, healthcare workers and older people simply trying to get home safely. They deserve to be spoken about with fairness and respect.”
Movements that may appear unpredictable, from inside a car, could often be defensive decisions made by a cyclist to protect themselves from hazards, close passes, poor road conditions and unsafe infrastructure.
Related News
“These small adjustments are acts of self preservation in an often hostile and unsafe environment,” Cannon added. “They are not reckless, they are necessary."
Cycling Ireland had previously highlighted the importance of impartiality and care in public commentary by those in positions of authority, it said.
“Words matter, particularly when they come from figures whose role is to be fair and evidence based,” Cannon added. “Language that risks framing vulnerable road users as a problem, rather than people, can unintentionally contribute to misunderstanding and hostility.
“If we want safer streets and roads, we must focus on what actually saves lives. We need to see lower speeds, better design, consistent enforcement, and a culture of mutual respect. Cyclists are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for dignity, safety, and fairness.”
Una Morrison of Dublin Cycling Campaign said: “I find it very upsetting and the wider cycling community finds it very upsetting. And if you said this about another marginalised minority group there would be absolute uproar."
The Dublin Commuter Coalition was also critical of the judge’s comments, saying they risked helping to foster a “war” on the roads.
"Tens of thousands of people cycle in Dublin every single day, and in doing so prevent traffic from becoming even more of a 'nightmare’ by choosing not to travel by car,” it said.
“Statements like these from people in positions of legal authority are perpetuating the on-going culture war that’s making roads more treacherous for active travel users."
