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Cyclist on M8 this morning

  • 12-12-2009 5:22pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,044 ✭✭✭


    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.


«1

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 299 ✭✭TimAllen


    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!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,044 ✭✭✭AugustusMaximus


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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,721 ✭✭✭✭CianRyan


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 299 ✭✭TimAllen


    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!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,044 ✭✭✭AugustusMaximus


    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.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 299 ✭✭TimAllen


    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:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,689 ✭✭✭Rougies


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 299 ✭✭TimAllen


    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.


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 40,774 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    Rougies wrote: »
    I'm not justifying his actions though, it is illegal after all.
    Is it an actual punishable offence?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,705 ✭✭✭✭Tigger


    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


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,689 ✭✭✭Rougies


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 299 ✭✭TimAllen


    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:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,689 ✭✭✭Rougies


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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 299 ✭✭TimAllen


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,689 ✭✭✭Rougies


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,705 ✭✭✭✭Tigger


    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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,705 ✭✭✭✭Tigger


    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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,689 ✭✭✭Rougies


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,044 ✭✭✭AugustusMaximus


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,705 ✭✭✭✭Tigger


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


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,689 ✭✭✭Rougies


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

    Well you can cycle faster on the line :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    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:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 299 ✭✭TimAllen


    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?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,705 ✭✭✭✭Tigger


    @ 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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 299 ✭✭TimAllen


    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?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,537 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    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?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,107 ✭✭✭ytareh


    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 ...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,258 ✭✭✭✭Eoin


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,313 ✭✭✭Mr.Boots


    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. ;)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,313 ✭✭✭Mr.Boots


    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:confused:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,258 ✭✭✭✭Eoin


    Mr.Boots wrote: »
    Get a life dude:confused:

    It's been dealt with, on topic please.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    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).


  • Posts: 16,720 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    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?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,504 ✭✭✭✭DirkVoodoo


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,376 ✭✭✭54kroc


    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.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,054 ✭✭✭luckyfrank


    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 ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 510 ✭✭✭seclachi


    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 ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,054 ✭✭✭luckyfrank


    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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 510 ✭✭✭seclachi


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,818 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    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.......

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,054 ✭✭✭luckyfrank


    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,


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,857 ✭✭✭langdang


    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.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 510 ✭✭✭seclachi


    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 ?...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,054 ✭✭✭luckyfrank


    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


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 2,957 Mod ✭✭✭✭macplaxton


    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") ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,786 ✭✭✭slimjimmc


    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"
    m2.gif


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,523 ✭✭✭Traumadoc


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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,107 ✭✭✭ytareh


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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,706 ✭✭✭craichoe


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,953 ✭✭✭aujopimur


    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.


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