Ciarán FerrieA little known part of the history of cycling on a side street in Dublin City centre
Spotted on my commute this morning:
Two gardaí on patrol patiently waiting for a driver to break the red light in front of them so they could cross the road.
They don't even see it, much less enforce it.
Almost got creamed on my cycle to work this morning by a white van driver who turned left across me without signalling.
It was only that I sensed something unusual about his road positioning that caused me to hold back just before he turned, otherwise I would have been under his wheel.
Yesterday a similar thing happened with a taxi driver. When I caught up with him at the lights I tapped politely and gently on the passenger window and asked him if he wouldn't mind leaving a bit more space when he was overtaking.
His response went something like:
"For jaysus sake you're not driving a truck, there's loads of space. Would you ever f**k off!"
I was close-passed by the same driver three times in five minutes today - is this a record?
When will people learn that racing past people cycling to get to the next red light isn't going to get you where you're going any quicker.
My commute is less than 3km. This morning's driver behaviour count:
1 speeding in a 30kph zone
3 parked on double yellow lines
2 parked on bus lanes
2 driving in bus lanes
2 parked on cycling lanes
2 breaking red lights (and several accelerating through amber lights)
2 making an illegal turn
ItsPattyNotPaddy Healy-Rae-NuaIs today a full moon or something?
Cycle into work: No less than 3 people walk out in front of me (into a cycle lane)! A van left-hooks me on the quays.
Cycle home: I have to jam on because a scooter ignores a red at the 5 Lamps. Another guy steps out into the cycle lane. And at Fairview, an aulfella ranting goes "Look at that asshole, he should know better at his age!" 🙄😯
A successful away match against Ballinteer, rewarded with a hot chocolate in Marley Park. Really felt like spring today.
A date for the diary next week - Pedalling to progress: Removing Barriers to the Uptake of Cycling in Ireland
Thursday, February 13th 12-2pm at the Irish Architectural Archive, 45 Merrion Square East, Dublin
Featuring Professor Eoin O'Neill of the UCD Earth Institute, Finola O'Driscoll of the National Transport Authority, Andrew O'Mullane and Stephen Cullen of South Dublin County Council and Dr Anna Mölter of SHIFT Cycling Safety
Secure your place at:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/removing-barriers-to-the-uptake-of-cycling-in-ireland-tickets-1226700426999 #CyclingInDublin
