Madam, - On reading Justin Comiskey's Irishman's Diary of August 13th, I was intrigued that "cyclists generally inhabit road space and pedestrians are found mainly on footpaths".
Strangely enough, my own experience is of meeting many cyclists using city centre footpaths.
Cyclists also criss-cross the Millennium footbridge any time I happen to use it.
Mr Comiskey expresses his concern at the potential dangers posed to cyclists by myriad other road-users - in particular buses, motorbikes, 18-wheel lorries and amphibious landing craft. He surely then must be equally concerned to see his fellow-cyclists in the jaws of such clear and present danger, going like the clappers, headphones jammed in ears, drowning exterior sounds.
As for traffic lights, it is routine to see cyclists flying through red traffic lights day-in, day-out in Dublin city centre, displaying complete disregard for pedestrians who observe correct procedure.
I suppose we all have our own drum to bang. Mr Comiskey concentrated on the dangers and negatives in the Dublin area. Motorists and pedestrians, on the other hand, have their own perceptions of cyclists, these being equally entrenched.
My own jaundiced view has been forged through observing the behaviour of cyclists in the Dublin city centre for well over two decades now. - Yours, etc.,
ANGELA FARRELL,
Maynooth,
Co Kildare.