Sir, – Further to your letters from irate cyclists regarding the protocol at junctions (May 15th), one of your letter writers states that signalling does not give you the right of way. He is perfectly correct but as a cyclist I would not attempt to overtake a car or truck on the left-hand side when it is turning. This is just common sense, as I know I will be the one who comes off worst.
Another writer states that he is not aware of a cyclist breaking the rules who has injured a driver.
He is also perfectly correct but I am well aware of a number of pedestrians who have been injured on footpaths and at junctions by cyclists breaking the rules.
As a pedestrian attempting to cross at junctions, I often have to wait while two of three cyclists go through the junction after the lights have changed for me to cross.
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Again, this is common sense, as I will be the one to come off worst.
I have survived to a ripe old age in Dublin city as a pedestrian, cyclist and driver without a serious traffic injury because I use common sense in all situations.
I will not cross the road even when have a green man to do so without first making sure the traffic has stopped, as only too often cars, cyclists, trucks and buses can break the lights.
As a cyclist, when cycling on the inside of traffic I will not attempt to overtake traffic which is signalling left.
As a driver, I use common sense as well as rules to try to be as safe as possible and no injure anyone else. – Yours, etc,
PADDY HENNESSY,
Crumlin,
Dublin 12.