Shane Ross needs to do more to protect cyclists, advocacy group says

Minister for Transport Shane Ross needs to do more to encourage and protect cyclists, says Dr Damien Ó Tuama of the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network.

Dr Ó Tuama told Newstalk Breakfast that cyclists get “crumbs from the table” when it comes to funding for transport.

He called for high quality cycle training schemes in schools around the country that included practical on-the-road training not just theory and written programmes.

His suggestion comes are the latest figures show that the number of cyclists killed on Irish roads between 2010 and 2014 rose, per capita, quicker than in any other OECD country.

The number of cyclists killed in 2010 was just five, that number rose to 13 in 2014.

The number of motorcyclists killed also rose dramatically during these years.

However, according to Dr Ó Tuama these figures are still far better than in the 1990s when an average of 28 cyclists per year were killed with 46 dying on Irish roads in 1990 alone.

“Cycling is getting safer in the context that there are a lot more people out on bikes on the roads these days. Every day 11,000 people in Dublin cycle into the city.

“So the big picture is that it is getting safer. But more needs to be done. Better planning for cycle routes, wider cycle tracks, a lower urban speed limit.”

He also pointed out that in 1991 22,000 primary school children cycled to school, the latest census figures showed that number is now down to 6,000. “Parents feel that roads are less safe, that there are more vehicles on the roads.”

Dr Ó Tuama called for the recommended passing distance of 1.5m to be enshrined in law. “Cars are wider so there is a need for this passing distance to be enshrined in law.

“There needs to be political commitment. What is Minister Ross doing about this? I just don’t know.”