The Road Safety Authority (RSA), Cyclist.ie the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network, Department of Transport Tourism and Sport, and An Garda Síochána are urging drivers to share the roads safely with cyclists and in particular to slow down and give space to cyclists ahead of National Bike Week which takes place from Saturday 10 June to Sunday 18 June.
The call comes as nine cyclists have been killed on Ireland’s roads to date in 2017. This is compared to three deaths up to the same period in 2016.
Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, RSA said: “Cyclists are among our most vulnerable road-users, yet many drivers do not demonstrate enough caution and awareness when sharing the road with cyclists. Drivers need to pay greater attention to their speed, as drivers are becoming increasing distracted by mobile devices and they are also speeding in our towns and cities. Our own studies have found that 82% of drivers are exceeding the 50km/h speed limit in urban national areas. To put this in context, nine out of ten pedestrians, hit by a vehicle at 60km/h will die. Hit at 50km/h survival is literally the toss of a coin.”
Superintendent Con O’Donohue of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said that, “to support National Bike Week, Gardaí will be focusing on speed enforcement through the deployment of the GoSafe network around the country. While enforcement will focus on all routes there will be a particular emphasis on enforcement of speed limits in our towns and cities, areas that are rich in vulnerable road users. Drivers need to understand that a speed limit is not a target and that we all need to drive at a speed that is appropriate for the environment and the conditions.”
For more details on National Bike Week and to find an event near you visit www.bikeweek.ie.
