Cycling Safety
Advice
and tips on how to stay safe while cycling on Irish roads.
Cycling is a common means of transport in Ireland. It’s popular for several reasons: it’s great exercise, it’s cheap and it cuts down on travel time, especially during rush-hour.
But cyclists are also a vulnerable category of road user. Every year there are several cycling fatalities on Irish roads and countless collisions involving cyclists.
As a cyclist, you can reduce your risk of death or
injury by following some simple advice:
- Never cycle in the dark without adequate lighting – white for
front, red for rear
- Always wear luminous clothing such as hi-vis vests, fluorscent
armbands and reflective belts so that other road users can see you
- Wear a helmet
- Make sure you keep to the left. Always look behind and give the proper
signal before moving off, changing lanes or making a turn
- Follow the rules of the road, never run traffic lights or weave
unpredictably in and out of traffic
- Maintain your bike properly – in particular, your brakes should
work properly and your tyres should be inflated to the right pressure and
be in good condition
- Respect other road users – don’t get into shouting matches with
motorists; stop at pedestrian crossings; don’t cycle on the footpath
- Watch your speed, especially when cycling on busy streets and going
downhill
- Steer well clear of left-turning trucks: let them turn before you
move ahead
Cycling for
children
Using a bike for the first time and learning to
ride has been a rite of passage for generations of Irish children. Cycling is
fun and sociable and, like swimming, a life-skill that stands to children in
later years.
Yet, like many activities, cycling carries an
element of risk. Parents play an important role in minimising the risk by
giving them proper guidance and instruction at an early age to ensure that
basic safety rules are absorbed while young.
Do’s and don’ts of safe cycling for children
Do ensure they:
- Cycle a bike matched to their height and experience
- Wear a safety helmet
- Use lights in dark or dusky conditions
Don’t allow them to:
- Cycle on public roads unsupervised (if under 12)
- Wear loosely-worn scarves or other clothing that could get caught
in the wheels or chain-set
- Take unnecessary risks
