‘On yer bike’ . . . but stay safe and secure properly

By Sergeant Michael Walsh – A monthly column by An Garda Síochána in Galway to increase public awareness on crime prevention.

ONE of the most notable changes in commuting patterns in the past few years has been the sharp rise in the number of people who cycle to work which is all very positive from an environmental perspective.

However, as a cyclist, you are particularly vulnerable and face a real risk of serious injury or death if you are involved in an accident, so it’s no wonder the county’s Joint Policing Sub-Committee on safety have highlighted cycling safety as a primary objective.

It’s all too common place to see cyclists in dark clothing without any hi-visibility clothing, helmets or lights. The rules of the road stipulate that you are legally obliged to keep your bike in good working order and you must cycle with reasonable consideration.

If you are using a bike on a public road during lighting-up hours, it must be fitted with reflectors and lights to ensure that you are visible. The law also requires you to have front and rear brakes and a bell.

However, you are not legally obliged to wear a helmet or hi-visibility clothing while cycling in Ireland, but both An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority of Ireland strongly recommends cyclists wear both for safety.

Cyclists must stop at traffic lights and pedestrian crossings when required, failure to do so can result in the issue of fixed charged fines.  Cycling on a footpath, unless the footway has a cycle lane, is also an offence.

The public road is a shared space and many cycling lobby groups are calling for an improved safer cycling infrastructure, such as dedicated cycling lanes.

One such measure that was introduced late last year was law for motorists governing the safe distance when overtaking cyclists.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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