The Garda's actions for the coming May Bank Holiday Weekend, in putting cyclists at the centre of their campaign, is a huge step forward. Hopefully it is the beginning of a cultural shift long overdue.
Important recognition has come for cyclists in the Republic, with the Garda putting us at the centre of its Bank Holiday Weekend road safety message.
At a media event in Dublin today the founder of the Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 campaign Phil Skelton was invited along to speak to reporters.
Gardai have highlighted the fact six cyclists have already been killed on the roads this year.
And they have urged motorists to beware those cycling on the roads this weekend and to pass them at a safe distance.
Messaging of this nature has long been a feature of roads campaigns in the UK.
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And the fact cycling has been moved front and centre of the Garda’s campaign to reduce crash and avoid fatalities this weekend is very significant.
Gardai traditionally place a big emphasis on Bank Holiday weekends in urging road users to slow down and be more careful.
The holiday weekends result in much larger numbers of vehicles on the roads and so the likelihood of fatalities increases.
Phil Skelton said he was “delighted” to see cycling-focussed road safety campaigns now running in the media.
“Anecdotally, we are hearing of safer interactions between bicycle riders and motorists as a result,” he said.
“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 six 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 four fatalities in that month alone.
“I would appeal to other road users to be extra vigilant of our vulnerable road users.”
So far this year 55 people have died on the Republic’s roads; one higher than last year when deaths on the roads reached a record low.
However, while road deaths generally fell to the lowest level since decades began, cycling deaths increased; to 15 from 10 in 2016.
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And while increase was shocking, early indications are the death toll is continuing to rise at a fast pace.
For example, six people have been killed while cycling in the first four months of this year, two higher than in the same period of 2017.
Today, Minister for Transport Shane Ross TD was to the fore in urging drivers to be more away cyclists and to be more aware around the.
Ross has already committed to introducing close-pass legislation, which will make it an offence for motorists to pass cyclists too closely.
“Whether cycling for leisure or to commute, cycling has many health and environmental benefits,” said Ross.
“And we need to actively support people who choose to travel that way. But every year there are several cycling fatalities on Irish roads.
“And almost a thousand cyclists are injured. One fatal road tragedy is one too many.”
Assistant Commissioner David Sheahan of the Garda National Roads Policing Unit also called on motorists to look out for cyclists.
But he said those on two wheels also need to play their part.
“We are calling on drivers to heed their speed, slow down and keep their eyes on the road,” he said.
“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.”
Moyagh Murdock, chief executive of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) also said cyclists need to be afforded space on the roads.
“We are using the opportunity of the May Bank Holiday weekend to remind drivers to always allow safe passing distances for cyclists,” she said.
“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.”
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