‘Drivers do not own the road’

The Road Safety Authority has urged motorists to share the road with bicycle users, as the number of cyclists killed on Irish roads so far in 2017 is now more than twice what it was this time last year.

The death of Donal O’Brien, who was killed in Cork when he was in an accident with a car while on his bicycle on Sunday, brings to eight the number of cyclists who died following a collision so far this year. Ten cyclists died in total in 2016.

Brian Farrell, RSA communications manager, said it is positive to see an increase in the number of those taking to the roads on a bicycle because of the benefits to cyclists’ health and the environment. However he said the greater numbers of cyclists means a greater risk that a cyclist could be injured.