Dun Laoghaire Traffic & Commuting Chat

Cycling doesn't cause arthritis, though it can be helpful in alleviating symptoms of arthritis for many people. One of the key causes of arthritis is obesity, so you can work out for yourself whether cycling or driving is more likely to contribute towards this cause. I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry when you scrape the bottom of the barrel to suggest that cycling causes health difficult. UK GPs now are prescribing cycling for their patients as it is such a good contributor to overall health. University of Glasgow research shows that those who cycle to work have half the cancer rates of the overall population. Cycling is a deterrent to obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and many other health conditions. You should really stop trying to spread fake news about cycling.

Is there any plans for drivers to obey the rules of the road and learn courtesy to other road users?

Huh, didn't realise Bloomfields, the Shopping centre, the harbour and the Pavilion have shut their car parks. Nor Super Valu or Lidl either.

Probably not, as just like every other country in the world, we recognise that the risks arising from a 10-20kg bike doing 10-30kmph is in a totally different league to the risks of a 1-5 tonne vehicle doing 20-150 kmph.

So, back to motorists then - when will the 98% of motorists that break urban speed limits demonstrate their knowledge of the rules of the road?

Andrew, you should know by now that the truth or facts are never allowed get in the way of a good story.

What numbers of the opposition gave up their weekend afternoon to give a clear indication of support to Councillors?

It's a bit hard to go to school without leaving a playground. Playgrounds don't provide routes to and from school or other activities. These kids aren't playing. They're going to school.

Though it's great to see that you understand that the traffic jams are due primarily to the large numbers of people who take five seater vehicles out with four empty seats on short journeys that are easily walked or cycled.

You are answering a question with a question Andrew, as I've said drivers have already demonstrated their knowledge so your issue with the enforcement of the laws, personally I'd support a more rigorous enforcement regime to the benefit of everybody and given we have the technology to identify people breaking red lights they should be fined imo. And if there are multiple incidents then yes they should resit their test.

But I also think adult cyclists should demonstrate a knowledge of the rules of the road and similarily be identified and fined when they break them also.

Singapore appear to be looking into it, I think with the advent of e bikes which now blur the lines between motor bikes and push bikes as well as electric scooters the whole area could use a fresh perspective

That's the thing with cyclists they don't want any compulsions, no compulsion on safety equipment, no compulsion on knowledge of the rules of the road, no compulsion on where they can and cannot use their vehicle. Just free reign to do whatever they feel like.

Where are you getting this 98 percent stat on urban speed limits, it doesn't tally with any recent report I've seen.

At what age would you suggest that mandatory cycle testing should take place?

i had said adults but thats probably wrong, id go younger, maybe 13 and anyone under 13 shouldnt be cycling on public roads unaccompanied by someone who has passed their test.

If there are segregated bike lanes with no other traffic on them (not sure we have any in ireland) this rule could be relaxed.

oh an on this, multiple means more than one, so maybe one or two strikes and then you are fined, made resit a portion of your exam something like that. Id have thought you would agree with me but you seem more interesting in engaging in an argument.

You misunderstand me i think, im not a daily motorist, i commute via walking and the dart, i tried cycling but i wasnt worth the hassle but i am not some staunch motorist the way you are a staunch cyclist.

Another factor to consider is that the world will change, probably pretty soon, autonomous cars will come and it will take driver error and breaking red lights etc completely out of the equation. I imagine in the next 15 years, i dont see my kids learning to drive to be honest. In that scenario there will have to be some formal structures around cycling. Why not start now, get ahead of it.

Dear god, what does that even mean?

Incorrect, where did i say an 11 year old would have a mandatory test, i was pretty clear what age it was.

If a 10 year old is caught unaccompanied then its the same process if you catch a 10 year old doing something else illegal (but a relatively minor offence).

and again you are letting your bias cloud your ability to read and comprehend, the rigourous enforcement comment was more related to drivers breaking the law.

slow down, read and understand, rather than trying to make yourself look clever and failing.