ATLANTIC DRIVE, ROSGUILL: Pic Donegal Daily
THERE a load of myths – and far too much abuse – thrown at cyclists who use roads in Co Donegal.
Sometimes cyclists are at fault. Sometimes motorists are to blame.
So at the request of Donegal Gardaí, Donegal Daily is highlighting what the law is on the safe use of our roadways.
Firstly Ireland is a signatory of the Vienna Convention of Road Traffic. This means the bicycle and the rider have EQUAL status to that of other road users.
The law states that cyclists can ride two abreast on a roadway. No more than that. The reason behind the legislation is that it helps to make cyclists more visible to other road users.
But three, four or five – or more – is ILLEGAL.
The 1964 Irish legislation is clear:
“Driving two abreast
29.—(1) A pedal cyclist shall not, save when overtaking other pedal cyclists (and then only if to do so will not endanger other traffic or pedestrians) drive a pedal cycle on a roadway in such a manner as to result in more than two pedal cycles driving abreast.
(2) Pedal cyclists on a roadway shall cycle in single file when overtaking other traffic.”
In 2012 cyclists’ rights to cycle two abreast were enshrined in the Irish Statute book:
“Pedal cyclists
47. (1) A pedal cyclist shall not drive a pedal cycle on a roadway in such a manner as to result in more than 2 pedal cyclists driving abreast, save when overtaking other pedal cyclists, and then only if to do so will not endanger, inconvenience or obstruct other traffic or pedestrians.”
Gardaí say the vast majority of cyclists do cycle with care and within the law. A small number of cyclists however do not. They will be reminding cycling clubs and those who run them of the law on cycling no more than two abreast in the coming days.
The biggest problem however is the lack of social responsibility by motorists, the lack of manners and lack of due care and attention when using our roads.
Expect the Unexpected.
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