Cyclists urged to slow down as injuries mount in Killarney National Park

Cyclists are colliding with pedestrians, prams, and potholes in Killarney National Park, injuring themselves and others, and there has been a call for them to slow down.

Cyclists are being asked to avoid “high speeds” in the park for the safety of pedestrians, and bike hire companies are to be asked to encourage their clients to sound the bells on their bikes.

A meeting of Kerry County Council has been told that cyclists needed to be audible and put bells on their bikes as many bikes are silent and pedestrians have no chance to avoid a collision. Some cyclists using the car-free pathways in the park are training for triathlons and other competitions and are hitting high speeds on the same trails pedestrians are using.

Heritage Minister Heather Humphreys is being called upon to ask park management to put up signs advising cyclists that routes in the park are for “recreational use only”.

The issue was raised at a meeting of Kerry County Council by Fine Gael councillor John Sheahan, who has had several incidents himself from cyclists, some of whom are going the wrong way around the park.

“Bells should be fitted to all bikes and bike companies in Killarney should be told to give notice to people who hire bikes to use their bell,” said Mr Sheahan.

Meanwhile, Noelle Crosbie, the manager of Dinis Cottage Tea Rooms, said she has had to deal with a number of the injured. She said there were several accidents in the 2015 season. The tea shop is closed this year for works.

She had to call in the ambulance and at least one German boy had to be airlifted out.

Cyclists were colliding with pedestrians, prams, and potholes, injuring themselves and others, she said.