Traffic Gripes

Dangerous debris on roads

As a cyclist I am increasingly appreciative of the freedom that cycling gives on our congested roads in Dublin today. I remind myself of this on good mornings as I spin along the inside of lines of expensive motor cars with drivers building up tension and blood pressure as they inch their way to work, thinking "Will I be late? Will I get a parking space? Is there a short-cut I can take?" I then remind myself again on wet mornings!

My gripes are that our roads are not being cleaned properly any more. Human road sweepers have been replaced by a brush machine, which is blind. And the broken glass and debris accumulates on the cycle paths, causing punctures. My second gripe is that helmets should become compulsory as the number of cyclists increase and the accidents increase as motorists make hasty decisions to avoid traffic.

- Vernon O'Byrne, Dublin

Need for wider bus lanes

I live in Lucan and cycle to and from the city every day, a distance of eight miles. In the last while, six of the eight miles of my journey have been converted to a quality bus corridor. So now, if I want to continue cycling, I am forced to share the same road space with every Dublin Bus, Express Way bus, private bus and taxi that is coming in - not just from Lucan but also all points west of Lucan. These QBCs are not wide enough to take a bus not alone overtake a cyclist when traffic is bumper to bumper.

Despite many letters and phone calls to the authorities on the safety aspect of this design from the cyclist point of view, absolutely no concessions were made for cyclists in terms of providing them with a separate cycle lane on any of these stretches of roadway. The recent tragic accident in the city involving a cyclist and a HGV adds further weight to my concern that cyclist and busses/HGV should not be asked to use the same road space.

One day recently, for my own safety, I had to get off my bike and let 4 buses and two taxis - who were all backed up behind me - pass. Otherwise they would have been stuck behind me for a distance of 400 yards as there was no place for me to pull in and let them pass. This hardly encourages people to leave the car at home and take the bike.

- Joe Whyte, Dublin

Motorbikes in bus lanes?

It annoys me that motorbikes are not allowed to use bus lanes. This simple measure - normal in many cities worldwide, would improve safety for all road users. Motorbikes and scooters use less road space, require less parking space and generate less emissions than the average car. During a Dβil debate last October, Bobby Molloy promised a pilot test of motorcycle access to bus lanes. However, records released under the FOI act indicate there has been no progress on this issue over the last 12 months. The Government strategy document for 2000-2016 makes no reference to motorbikes. Isn't it time to recognise powered two wheelers as a valid mode of transport?

- Joe Fitzpatrick, Dublin

Cyclist safety

I am a motorist and a cyclist. I am very fortunate that I have a cycle lane most of the way from my home on the Clontarf Road into town. But when it ends at Amiens Street, cycling is just a nightmare. Also, going along the quays as far as Capel Street, where the road widens up again, is perilous for a cyclist. I have been terrified to cycle into work since the young woman was killed on Westmoreland Street earlier this year; and now there has been another death on almost the same spot. I agree cyclists take risks and are a problem for drivers, but as a cyclist, I am very worried about the presence of juggernauts on the streets in the city centre.

- Orla O'Kiersey, Dublin