Madam, – James Walsh (April 24th) details three key areas which amaze and annoy him in relation to cyclists. While I agree with the points about breaking lights and cyclists wearing headphones, I take exception to his point in relation to cyclists not using cycle paths where provided.
He gives the cycle lane in Fairview as an example of a well- designed, separated lane. As a cyclist who commutes using this route I can confirm that it is neither well designed, separate, nor even maintained. Pedestrians regularly walk along it unaware that it’s a cycle lane. During winter and autumn the collection of slick, damp leaves make for a slippery mess. It is pot-holed and rarely (if ever) cleaned.
The road surface, however, provides two lanes of quality tarmac (one a bus lane) and is a far safer option so long as drivers respect the fact that cyclists need to be given a decent amount of space by motorised traffic.
It seems, however, that many drivers feel obliged to express views similar to Mr Walsh by driving as close as possible to cyclists using this stretch of road, shaking their fists and pointing (in a suggestive manner?) at the cycle lane. There is no obligation on the part of cyclists to use cycling lanes and in their present state I find myself regularly having to leave the cycle lane in order to avoid crater-like pot holes, broken glass and other dangerous obstacles. Motorists might consider, prior to attempting to physically force cyclists back into cycling lanes, the very good reasons cyclists leave them in the first place. – Yours, etc,
DAVID KILLEN,
Howth Road,
Clontarf,
Dublin 3.
Madam, – I am an occasional cyclist, but the volume and speed of traffic is a deterrent to any cyclist commuting to Dublin. A dedicated cycle path along the tow path of the Royal Canal from Maynooth to Dublin would offer a direct traffic-free access route into Dublin city centre. – Yours, etc,
JOHN FINUCANE,
Allendale Grove,
Clonsilla,
Dublin 15.