Minister Donohoe needs to clarify rules of roads for urban cyclists

The inevitable has come to pass.

While only a short time since the Minister for Transport, Paschal Donohoe, decided to exclude cyclists from Fixed Charge Notices and allowed them to use footpaths, pedestrians and observers will have noticed a marked increase in cyclists availing of this dispensation throughout the country.

A recent survey in the Wilton Area of Cork city has shown a twofold increase since the minister told his colleague Jerry Buttimer TD that iIt is appropriate and necessary for cyclists to use footpaths where there is danger on the roads’ As expected and predicted, cyclists can now use footpaths with impunity as well as immunity from prosecution, as they can rightly claim that virtually all urban roads are dangerous due to uncontrolled speeding, lack of proper cycle ways, giant potholes, poor road design and a general lack of coherent traffic management.