Sir, – My son saved up for a year to buy a bicycle that was stolen from where it was secured (with a U-lock that was cut through) outside our house. The Garda advice was to go to a market on North Cumberland Street in Dublin 1 to try and locate it. At this market were tens of young males who were selling very expensive adult bicycles for far under market prices. Shouldn’t the Garda monitor this market and examine some of these goods? I left the market sickened and angry that nothing is seen to be done to deter such activities. – Yours, etc,
A chara, – In response to your recent article on bicycle theft in Ireland, this could be turned into a positive business opportunity (Home News, September 10th). Rather than give tax breaks to cycle to work schemes, where the bikes will inevitably end up being stolen, would it not be more efficient to give grants to young entrepreneurs to open up bike parks? I would happily pay a few euro to park my bike in a supervised bike park in a city centre location, knowing that it would be there when I returned. These parks could have opportunities for ancillary businesses, such as repairs, accessory sales, and so on. There are many vacant buildings near all our major shopping and business areas which could be put to such use. – Is mise,