Journalism and Cycling 2: the difficult second album

is this the same OPW that routinely fits wheel bending toaster rack stands in new buildings?

Maybe they stuck this atop Leinster House for a while?

Hopefully they figure it out and while still a disaster its something other than the batteries or chargers as it will only add to the hype about electric transport in general.

Doesn't bode well though given US reactions to fires which is more than likely cheap parts as the root cause.

https://insideevs.com/news/683944/ebike-escooter-ban-colleges-universities/

I got so annoyed that I wrote a strongly worded letter to the Irish Independent. I doubt they'll publish it so here it is:

I take umbrage with Senan Molony's article from 2nd April 'Green Party leader Eamon Ryan hails new bicycle stand and EV charging points at Leinster House'. 

He states "The Greens are claiming success as an expensive new bicycle stand is installed at Leinster House, along with extra electric vehicle (EV) charging points." I don't want to claim an anti-cycling bias but why did Senan feel the need to say "an expensive new bicycle stand" when he later wrote "no costs for the new structures are yet available and I'm presuming that EV charging points would be a multiple times more expensive than a bicycle stand. Unless the stand is made from gold, I struggle to see how it could be expensive. The lack of any photograph of this expensive bicycle stand, makes it impossible for me to confirm if the stand is indeed made out of gold. 

The stand is not fully enclosed as, according to Senan, the OWP believes ".... such stands often end up being used for the storage of lawnmowers or other items." I know TDs and ministers are extremely busy and doubt they have the time or inclination to bring their lawnmower to Leinster House.

European Declaration on Cycling was signed today

including.. I assume that's why Garda failures on bike injury stats was in news recently

What is it about the bikes and social media.

I had a look at Dublin Live facebook page - every other article, 12 comments, 15 comments, 20 comments.

Article about the Garda getting new bikes - 405 comments.

To be fair a lot of them supportive, but still the usual horseshit ones….. more anti-garda than anti-cycling

Two people were on NT Friday saying RSA unfit for task and that it has car-centric focus

We think RSA=road safety, but they have a huge remit focused on regulations not safety. It needs to be split up

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/0410/1442739-road-safety-ireland/

I'm trying to wrap my head around this extract:

Ms O'Donnell said she would take issue with criticism of the RSA made by road advocacy groups.

She added that the RSA budget is not fit for purpose and said she would call on the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice to put the resources needed into enforcement.

So the RSA doesn't get enough money, but any extra money should be put into enforcement? Sounds like the RSA is saying the RSA wouldn't be necessary if we had enough enforcement. Disband the RSA and replace with independent traffic corps so?

Ah its pretty clear she is doing a bit of a back pedalling PR job.

However - looking at it, I think she has a point. And if a motion of no-confidence was needed, it was probably more in the way the Guards are policing the roads….. or not policing them.

However as regards its own remit - yes the RSA has absolutely and completely failed in any attempt to create a culture of compliance or 'safety first' amongst Irish motorists, or to be fair cyclists or pedestrians either. Nobody gives a f**k, and there is very much a culture of each group feeling they are being targetted and marginalised.

Don't forget the colouring competitions. When people are fearful of walking or cycling on a public road, a colouring competition is always worth a shot at solving the problem.