The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in
Ireland (FCI) has contacted Cycling Ireland and urged it to remind cyclists of
their responsibilities when they are riding close to heavy agricultural
vehicles in the coming weeks.
The association's statement is full of advice, warnings
and reminders about how cyclists need to behave on the roads. However, there is
no mention of the contractors’ and farmers’ responsibilities, despite the fact
they are behind the wheels of such large and heavy agricultural vehicles.
In a statement
issued by the FCI it says it has “been in contact with Cycling Ireland
asking that the association inform and alert their members this May to the
issues of safety when cycling near farm machinery on rural roads”.
It also adds that
while its members leave debris on the roads as they leave fields – which is
very dangerous for cyclists – it is not practical for this to be cleaned or
removed in any way.
Advertisement
Related News
Therefore, the
association suggests, it falls to cyclists to take on responsibility for
cycling in those conditions and keeping themselves safe.
This is despite
the hazardous road conditions having been caused by the farm and agricultural
contractors.
The FCI has asked
Cycling Ireland to remind cyclists of several points, which for accuracy we are
reproducing here directly from the FCI’s statement. The points the FCI wants
Cycling Ireland to pass on to cyclists include:
- Their responsibility to other road users, especially those operating tractors and agricultural machinery at silage harvesting on narrow rural roads
- The dangers of tailgating behind tractors and trailers
- The dangers of tailgating behind trailers that are transporting silage bales
- The dangers of overtaking tractors and farm machinery on narrow public roads
- The need for understanding of other road users and adopting a code of practice in exchanges with other road users, in particular those operating tractors and farm machinery during seasonal work periods.
- The dangers for cyclists travelling on wet roads during silage harvesting as it is not practical for farm contractors to clear the road of grass debris after each load leaves the field
The FCI ended its
statement by assuring its members that Cycling Ireland had already passed on
its concerns to its members.
“Cycling Ireland has sent a communication to its membership regarding safety practices and common courtesy in respect of farmers and farm machinery – via their website, social media channels and/or regular newsletter,” the FCI said.
Topics
