Cyclist on M8 this morning

AugustusMaximus · 12-12-2009 5:22pm #1

Just wondering did anyone else see the cyclist on the M8 this morning between Glanmire and Watergrasshill.

2nd time I've seen this person on the same stretch of road at the same time on a Saturday morning (around 9AM) within the last 3 weeks.

If this cyclist is a regular to cycling on this stretch of motorway, I might give a ring to Glanmire Garda station the next time I see him.

TimAllen · 12-12-2009 6:31pm

AugustusMaximus wrote: »

Just wondering did anyone else see the cyclist on the M8 this morning between Glanmire and Watergrasshill.

2nd time I've seen this person on the same stretch of road at the same time on a Saturday morning (around 9AM) within the last 3 weeks.

If this cyclist is a regular to cycling on this stretch of motorway, I might give a ring to Glanmire Garda station the next time I see him.

A rare enough sight thats for sure. Though I did see a cyclist on the M1 a while back. There's no justification or need for it - putting him/her self in harms way like that is pretty dumb!

AugustusMaximus · 12-12-2009 6:33pm

What was worse than him being on the motorway was the fact that he was practically cycling on the solid yellow line. Crazy stuff.

CianRyan · 12-12-2009 6:35pm

I know a lot of racers that use the motor way to train. Not saying it's ok to do but that's probably what he's doing.

The guards wont do much, they usually tell them they're not aloud on the motor way and ask them to leave, nothing more being said.

TimAllen · 12-12-2009 6:43pm

AugustusMaximus wrote: »

What was worse than him being on the motorway was the fact that he was practically cycling on the solid yellow line. Crazy stuff.

Never mind calling the gardai - the "men in white coats" would be more appropriate - thats suicidal!
The thing I cant understand about a cyclist engaging in this kind of behaviour, putting him/herself in mortal danger for nothing! A cycle on a regular road would I'm sure, offer far more in terms of scenery etc and would be legal and (relatively) safe.
I think there are some cyclists out there who feel aggrieved that they are not allowed to cycle on a motorway and choose to break the law as a form of protest. There's no accounting for the intellect of some of these tree hugging anarchist types!

AugustusMaximus · 12-12-2009 6:47pm

CianRyan wrote: »

I know a lot of racers that use the motor way to train. Not saying it's ok to do but that's probably what he's doing.

The guards wont do much, they usually tell them they're not aloud on the motor way and ask them to leave, nothing more being said.

Yep, the man looked like he was training.

What I don't understand is that there is the R639 (old N8) which has basically no traffic on it between Glanmire and Watergrasshill which would be far more suited to the cyclist.

TimAllen · 12-12-2009 6:48pm

CianRyan wrote: »

I know a lot of racers that use the motor way to train. Not saying it's ok to do but that's probably what he's doing.

The guards wont do much, they usually tell them they're not aloud on the motor way and ask them to leave, nothing more being said.

yeah, until there's a fatality, which is inevitable if the OP's description of the cyclist's behaviour is accurate:eek:

Rougies · 12-12-2009 6:48pm

To be honest, I'd feel safer cycling on a motorway than on most other roads in this country!

I'm not justifying his actions though, it is illegal after all.

TimAllen · 12-12-2009 6:50pm

AugustusMaximus wrote: »

Yep, the man looked like he was training.

What I don't understand is that there is the R639 (old N8) which has basically no traffic on it between Glanmire and Watergrasshill which would be far more suited to the cyclist.

a "serious" cyclist - they're the worst, knows all the rules of the road but decides which ones apply to him and which can be ignored.

Seth Brundle · 12-12-2009 6:51pm

Rougies wrote: »

I'm not justifying his actions though, it is illegal after all.

Is it an actual punishable offence?

Tigger · 12-12-2009 6:52pm

Rougies wrote: »

To be honest, I'd feel safer cycling on a motorway than on most other roads in this country!

I'm not justifying his actions though, it is illegal after all.

i agree

Rougies · 12-12-2009 6:55pm

kbannon wrote: »

Is it an actual punishable offence?

I'm not sure about that. I'd say it would take a LOT of getting caught by the same Garda for anything to happen, and then probably only a warning.

TimAllen · 12-12-2009 6:58pm

Tigger wrote: »

i agree

with feeling safer cycling on a motorway? With cars travelling at 120kmh and trucks at 80kmh within a couple of feet of you? With long gaps between exits?
With a collision being almost guaranteed to be fatal?:eek:

Rougies · 12-12-2009 7:01pm

The chances of getting hit on a motorway are far lower than on any other road with traffic. That counts for vehicle collisions too.

TimAllen · 12-12-2009 7:05pm

Rougies wrote: »

The chances of getting hit on a motorway are far lower than on any other road with traffic.

as cyclists have never been allowed onto motorways, any statistics relating to collisions involving other traffic types are meaningless in the context of cyclist safety. Maybe the low rate of collisions is partly down to the fact that cyclists, pedestrians and other slow moving traffic are not allowed on the motorway.

Rougies · 12-12-2009 7:07pm

TimAllen wrote: »

as cyclists have never been allowed onto motorways, any statistics relating to collisions involving other traffic types are meaningless in the context of cyclist safety. Maybe the low rate of collisions is partly down to the fact that cyclists, pedestrians and other slow moving traffic are not allowed on the motorway.

That's true, but I'm calculating the odds based on the statistics of accidents involving vehicles on motorways compared with other roads.

Tigger · 12-12-2009 7:07pm

TimAllen wrote: »

as cyclists have never been allowed onto motorways, any statistics relating to collisions involving other traffic types are meaningless in the context of cyclist safety. Maybe the low rate of collisions is partly down to the fact that cyclists, pedestrians and other slow moving traffic are not allowed on the motorway.

that made me giggle

stastical analysis at its best

very few bikes on motorways = very few hit

Tigger · 12-12-2009 7:09pm

TimAllen wrote: »

with feeling safer cycling on a motorway? With cars travelling at 120kmh and trucks at 80kmh within a couple of feet of you? With long gaps between exits?
With a collision being almost guaranteed to be fatal?:eek:

if you cycle on a n rioad cars are doing 120 (rightly or wrongly) and trucks are douing 80 anyway
motorways are wider and straighter

definatly safer

Rougies · 12-12-2009 7:13pm

Tigger wrote: »

if you cycle on a n rioad cars are doing 120 (rightly or wrongly) and trucks are douing 80 anyway
motorways are wider and straighter

definatly safer

Yep, and I'd much rather cycle on a straight road with a lane completely to myself, thus eliminating the need for cars/trucks to overtake me, especially on bends.

AugustusMaximus · 12-12-2009 7:14pm

Rougies wrote: »

Yep, and I'd much rather cycle on a straight road with a lane completely to myself, thus eliminating the need for cars/trucks to overtake me, especially on bends.

If only this particular cyclist used the lane. He was practically on the yellow line.

Tigger · 12-12-2009 7:16pm

i've noticed that my self
i think the edge is full of stuff that'llo hurt thier tyres

Rougies · 12-12-2009 7:16pm

AugustusMaximus wrote: »

If only this particular cyclist used the lane. He was practically on the yellow line.

Well you can cycle faster on the line

peasant · 12-12-2009 7:20pm

Tigger wrote: »

if you cycle on a n rioad cars are doing 120 (rightly or wrongly) and trucks are douing 80 anyway
motorways are wider and straighter

definatly safer

Rougies wrote: »

Yep, and I'd much rather cycle on a straight road with a lane completely to myself, thus eliminating the need for cars/trucks to overtake me, especially on bends.

sometimes I just despair :rolleyes:

TimAllen · 12-12-2009 7:35pm

Rougies wrote: »

That's true, but I'm calculating the odds based on the statistics of accidents involving vehicles on motorways compared with other roads.

yes and the problem with that is, the statistics are meaningless. I mean, you could say the same for pedestrians, horse riding, or any other roaduser and arrive at the same conclusion, using stats in such a flawed fashion - do you really think the motorway would be as safe if such users were allowed to use them?

Tigger · 12-12-2009 7:36pm

@ peasent
whadda you mean

its definatly safey to cycle on the hard shoulder of a motor way then on the n17 between sligo and tubbercurry true or false

TimAllen · 12-12-2009 7:42pm

Tigger wrote: »

@ peasent
whadda you mean

its definatly safey to cycle on the hard shoulder of a motor way then on the n17 between sligo and tubbercurry true or false

I see some of that sentence is in english - what other language are you using? E,g "whadda" "definatly" and "safey":D
Is there a motorway alternative from Sligo to Tubbercurry?

Victor · 12-12-2009 10:17pm

TimAllen wrote: »

Never mind calling the gardai - the "men in white coats" would be more appropriate - thats suicidal!
The thing I cant understand about a cyclist engaging in this kind of behaviour, putting him/herself in mortal danger for nothing! A cycle on a regular road would I'm sure, offer far more in terms of scenery etc and would be legal and (relatively) safe.
I think there are some cyclists out there who feel aggrieved that they are not allowed to cycle on a motorway and choose to break the law as a form of protest. There's no accounting for the intellect of some of these tree hugging anarchist types!

So, what is your diagnosis for drivers that park on the footpath?

ytareh · 12-12-2009 10:27pm

Chill out lads ,while Im not saying I APPROVE of this ,far worse things happen on our roads...It clearly states at motorway entry points "No vehicles under 30mph "(or did, pre metric)...A good 'racer' should be able to do that with a decent tailwind...No motorway could be as 'cyclist lethal' as the N4 westbound just before Liffey Valley...or 25-50% of the national road network come to think of it ...

Eoin · 12-12-2009 10:33pm

Victor wrote: »

So, what is your diagnosis for drivers that park on the footpath?

Are there footpaths on the motorway? Because that's what this thread is about.

TimAllen wrote: »

I see some of that sentence is in english - what other language are you using? E,g "whadda" "definatly" and "safey":D

This is not the English forum.

Mr.Boots · 12-12-2009 10:41pm

i used to cycle the arklow gorey bypass till they made it a motorway.
It was great for training if a little boring.
I would still cycle it iif allowed...there isnt any real greater danger involved.
20kmh higher speed...but lets face it...if your hit at 100kmh your f$*ked anyway....so 20kmh extra dont make a hoot of a difference.(everyone was speeding on it before anyway)
I actually dont realy have any good roads to train on anymore since the n11 was made a motorway on that section.....secondry roads are lethal on the dark evenings...motorway is definetly safer.
To anyone who cant get thier head around it....go out cycling for a few weeks and youl understand.

Mr.Boots · 12-12-2009 10:43pm

TimAllen wrote: »

I see some of that sentence is in english - what other language are you using? E,g "whadda" "definatly" and "safey":D
Is there a motorway alternative from Sligo to Tubbercurry?

Get a life dude

Eoin · 12-12-2009 10:45pm

Mr.Boots wrote: »

Get a life dude

It's been dealt with, on topic please.

peasant · 12-12-2009 10:49pm

The fact that cyclists perceive dual carriageways or motorways as safer to cycle than other roads has nothing to do with motorways / dual carriageways being safe for cyclists but that other minor roads allow no provisions for cycling whatsoever.

This isn't a safe country for cycling anywhere ..but on the motorway it's simply illegal (and unsafe).

12-12-2009 11:01pm

peasant wrote: »

The fact that cyclists perceive dual carriageways or motorways as safer to cycle than other roads has nothing to do with motorways / dual carriageways being safe for cyclists but that other minor roads allow no provisions for cycling whatsoever.

This isn't a safe country for cycling anywhere ..but on the motorway it's simply illegal (and unsafe).

Ireland's grand for cycling, you just have to be assertive at times and just assume everyone else is an idiot.

I've never enjoyed cycling on Dual Carriageways, but I do appreciate that it's easier to get a higher speed (and indeed, the roads tend to be better on N roads).

Possibly silly question, but since I don't know the area in question, I assume that the proper signage is in place for entry to the M8 since it became motorway?

DirkVoodoo · 12-12-2009 11:07pm

Cycling on a motorway? Lunacy and illegal. Like others have said, cycling with cars travelling at speeds 5 to 6 times faster than you is mad. A truck travelling within the speed limit could suck the guy under his wheels.

I find cycling on the dual carriageway fine in a group, it can be a bit hairy around any merging traffic lanes, e.g. the N11.

If you see him again then you should report him, it's for his own safety.

54kroc · 12-12-2009 11:15pm

Dónal wrote: »

Possibly silly question, but since I don't know the area in question, I assume that the proper signage is in place for entry to the M8 since it became motorway?

There is proper signage although that stretch of road hasn't been a motorway for that long.

luckyfrank · 13-12-2009 12:06am

Cyclists and by that i mean those do it for sport and wear those silly tight pants are biggest tossers ive met and ive met a few and they are more ignorant than the worst gaurd, bouncer or traveller you have ever met

Ban or warning ?

seclachi · 13-12-2009 12:15am

If i was a cyclist I would take the motorway over the lanes, your pretty much a dead man on country lanes if somebody comes around a blind corner.

I`m the motorway is fairly risky too, an arctic thundering past at 120km might knock you over or suck you into the road maybe ?

luckyfrank · 13-12-2009 12:17am

seclachi wrote: »

If i was a cyclist I would take the motorway over the lanes, your pretty much a dead man on country lanes if somebody comes around a blind corner.

I`m the motorway is fairly risky too, an arctic thundering past at 120km might knock you over or suck you into the road maybe ?

Still you can cycle those backroads legally if it's any consolation

seclachi · 13-12-2009 12:22am

luckyfrank wrote: »

Still you can cycle those backroads legally if it's any consolation

Id rather be admonished by a gardai than dead in the ditch

. Then again, I think I found the best solution to this problem, dont cycle in Ireland.

galwaytt · 13-12-2009 12:29am

Dónal wrote: »

Ireland's grand for cycling, you just have to be assertive at times and just assume everyone else is an idiot.

...mmm, maybe that's the way you see it: I see cyclists on the R and N roads most days, and they seemed to modify your credo as riding like a moron, ignore Road Traffic Law (signs/lights/lanes/whatever), and I always assume that it's THEY who are the idiot. I have yet to be persuaded otherwise.......

luckyfrank · 13-12-2009 12:30am

seclachi wrote: »

Id rather be admonished by a gardai than dead in the ditch . Then again, I think I found the best solution to this problem, dont cycle in Ireland.

I owned a mountain bike in the day and always cycled on the footpath never a problem, cyclists who do it for sport are the boy racers of the cycling world imo,

langdang · 13-12-2009 12:56am

peasant wrote: »

The fact that cyclists perceive dual carriageways or motorways as safer to cycle than other roads has nothing to do with motorways / dual carriageways being safe for cyclists but that other minor roads allow no provisions for cycling whatsoever.

This isn't a safe country for cycling anywhere ..but on the motorway it's simply illegal (and unsafe).

Spot on, most accurate statement in the whole thread. It's just not practical or responsible to let traffic at 120kph share the same space as cyclists at 30kph.
I have several bikes and a fair supply of lycra myself, but I only cycle offroad.
I've only myself to blame offroad, I just would not put my life in the hands of terrible drivers I see on the roads everyday.

Most of our roads are dangerous for cyclists, but absolutely no way should cyclists be allowed on motorways.
Assume for the sake of it that one of the amazing car-driving-vegetables, (who seem to make up about 20% of drivers out there) won't come sailing along the hardshoulder and not notice you til he feels a thud up through the wheels.
(They run into much bigger and more visible things in the hard shoulder all the time - maybe we should lay some sort of traps for the halfwits that would be plainly obvious to competent drivers....)

Even assuming that, when you cross ramps on or off the motorway you are crossing very slowly in front of people moving very quickly trying to make lane changes, check mirrors etc. It's all very well to assume people will see you and can calculate relative speeds of several vehicles at once, but lets face it - they can't. The vegetables can mess it up when the relative speeds are pretty close, they will surely mess it up when comparing bike speed to car speed.

seclachi · 13-12-2009 1:02am

luckyfrank wrote: »

I owned a mountain bike in the day and always cycled on the footpath never a problem, cyclists who do it for sport are the boy racers of the cycling world imo,

Your not supposed to cycle on the footpath either though right ?...

luckyfrank · 13-12-2009 1:05am

seclachi wrote: »

Your not supposed to cycle on the footpath either though right ?...

Id rather take my chance's on a footpath than a motorway

macplaxton · 13-12-2009 1:07am

seclachi wrote: »

an arctic thundering past at 120km

An artic has a speed limiter, so shouldn't be doing more than 89km/h on the clock. (unless on over-run down a steep hill or the fuse is "blown")

slimjimmc · 13-12-2009 1:30am

ytareh wrote: »

Chill out lads ,while Im not saying I APPROVE of this ,far worse things happen on our roads...It clearly states at motorway entry points "No vehicles under 30mph "(or did, pre metric)...A good 'racer' should be able to do that with a decent tailwind...No motorway could be as 'cyclist lethal' as the N4 westbound just before Liffey Valley...or 25-50% of the national road network come to think of it ...

while conveniently ignoring the rest of the sign : "NO pedal - cycles"

Traumadoc · 13-12-2009 9:44am

Cycling on a motorway is illegal, cycling on country roads is so much more dangerous.

ytareh · 13-12-2009 9:50am

slimjimc the life that was led without 'conveniently ignoring ' something would be pretty sould destroying...

craichoe · 13-12-2009 11:05am

Your not even supposed to be in the hard shoulder, the advice is to get out of your car and behind the barrier, tyre blowout or simply an idiot could drive into the hard shoulder and ram into you with the excuse that they didnt expect anything to be there.

I've never been stopped by a cop on the hard shoulder, they always escort you to a close by rest stop.

aujopimur · 13-12-2009 11:14am

This behavior is totally irresponsable, having said that there are no signs on this part of the N8 prohibiting cyclists, tractors, walkers, or learners, I wonder why.

Cyclist on M8 this morning

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