New wave of hatred against cyclists

With the announcement, last week, of a fixed-charge fine system for cyclists who breach road traffic laws, there has been an increase

in publicly expressed hatred of cyclists.

For example, your readers may wish to use the TV3 player to watch the interview with George Hook (Friday, July 3) and Matt Cooper on the Ireland AM programme.

So far, there has been no public opprobrium against people who publicly hate cyclists and who vicariously incite others to follow suit.

People who cycle are vulnerable in traffic and are daily exposed to dangerous overtaking (too

close and fast) and vehicles parked illegally in cycle tracks. Roadways are not just for cars, vans, lorries and articulated trucks.

I am calling on the ministers for transport and justice, the garda chief commissioner and the head of the Road Safety Authority to address this attitude towards cyclists.

We, too, need to be protected and we have a right to use our means of transport on urban and rural roads.

Mike McKillen

Seaview Terrace

Dublin 4