For Tomorrow We Die

at

You are invited.

To a silent die-in “to protest deaths of people who cycle” outside Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 tomorrow at 6pm.

Mike McKillen writes:

This past week has seen the tragic killing of a young person cycling on Dublin roads, bringing the total number of cyclists killed this year to 5.

2017 was the deadliest year for people who cycle in Ireland with 15 deaths, the highest in 10 years.

The issue of safe streets is not just affecting people who cycle; 14 pedestrians have already lost their lives this year. It is worth noting that 2017 had the lowest number of fatalities for people in motorised vehicles in over a decade.

I BIKE Dublin and Dublin Cycling Campaign are conducting a silent demonstration tomorrow outside Leinster House at 6pmto express their sorrow and anger at this latest death on Irish roads, and to call on the government to invest in safer streets as a matter of urgency.

We are calling on the Government for –

A minimum of 10% of transport budget allocated for safe cycling and walking

Better design of cycling and walking infrastructure, especially at junctions where people are forced to interact with motor vehicles.

Dublin Cycling Campaign

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46 thoughts on “For Tomorrow We Die

  1. david

    Like any road user they must be tested to see if they are competent like drivers
    Taxed to ensure a proper network of cycle lanes and insured
    Its time the free lunch ended

    1. dylaad

      Daily Mail BS- it’s the pedestrians and cyclists who are to blame for their own deaths. I drive a lot and (I include myself in this) most motorists should be made retake their tests. The motor tax is to based on CO2 emissions, it’s not a road tax, so for a cyclist, this would be very low.

      1. Cian

        slightly tongue in cheek response – we could measure the amount of CO2 that a cyclist produces – and tax them on that! :-)

          1. Cian

            …at a guess that per km travelled, car drivers[1] produce less CO2 than cyclists.

            [1] the driver – not the car.

          2. manolo

            …at a guess that per km travelled, car drivers[1] produce more methane (worst GHG) than cyclists.

            [1] the driver – not the car.

        1. edalicious

          I know it was a joke but, on a basic level, CO2 from cyclists comes from a normal, short-term carbon cycle; air to plant/animal to person back to air, so no net increase in atmospheric carbon. Whereas cars are using carbon that has been sequestered away underground for eons, so increasing the levels in carbon in the atmosphere.

    2. edalicious

      Motor tax and fuel excise duty don’t fully cover the cost of road building and upkeep so perhaps people in glass houses…

      Also, most cyclists are car owners who do pay motor tax and are opting to use the road as they see fit.

      Given the large numbers of people killed by motorised vehicles every year, I’m sure you’ll agree that we probably have a more pressing problem with incompetent drivers who have somehow managed to get on the road with being tested for competency, as you mention above.

      And I’m sure, given your views on the topic, you’d be happy to pay a large increase in your motor tax and/or fuel cost to cover the additional cost of motoring in this country so that you’re not eating a lunch subsidised by non-car-owning tax payers?

      1. The Old Boy

        Sadly there are one or two persistent bad apples laying waste to the comment section of late.

    3. Hansel

      You’re exactly right david, about time we taxed motorists far far more to actually pay for the upkeep of our roads rather than just a portion of the costs.

      Also about time we retested all drivers too: plenty got their licence during the amnesty years, and plenty more did their test long before motorways and roundabouts ever existed.

      1. david

        I took my test in England in 1972
        I have never speeded ,and always had in the back of my mind that another lunatic is on the road, constantly checking my rear view mirror and when approaching bends etcbi slow down
        I do not use a mobile phone and constantly focus on the road
        So far touch wood not one accident
        I notice totally rude aggressive road users and constantly because I stick to the road limit have these idioms tail gating me beeping me anything to ensure I speed up to suit them
        I notice many cyclists running red lights wearing Walkman’s etc
        The worst are the ones wearing the spandex outfits
        I am sure they even wear cod pieces underneath
        I remember when Ireland introduced that madness of onelicence for everyone in the audience,as I just returned home from the UK
        A couple of years or so and ,all those who were incompetent got licences
        I also remember the UK were up in arms that these untested possible lunatics were let loose on UK roads, when holidaying here or in transit
        As per usual the money raised for road tax went into central taxation to be used instead of on the roads but for balancing the books and paying bloated public sector wages just like water rates
        Its time cyclists accepted responsibility for their actions got insured so when injured my taxes do not get spent on the injuries received from reckless cyclists and if they do cause an accident the victim can be compensated
        If these taxes were used for what’s its intended we would have a 21st century water system and motorways that would be the envy of Germany
        Instead we now have the third world African standard dirt roads down the country and motorways that do not even have drainage

        1. Rob_G

          Jaysus – seriously, start your own LiveJournal, save us all of your meandering reminiscences about the old country.

      2. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

        I was driving behind an aul fella the other day. He pulled out in front of me from a sideroad and off he pootled at around 25kph, sailing through roundabouts without signaling and only speeding up to crash a red light. I then saw him turning left into a local pub: they do pensioners’ cheapo carvery lunches. In a way, you’ve got to admire that chutzpah. In another way, he should be off the road.

        1. david

          I agree
          I believe any one caught once drink driving if fought again banned for life
          As for the speed through a city or housing estate 25klm is ok
          As for lack of signalling maybe he was one from the amnesty that got a licence
          Maybe he was extra caution in speed because he knew he was over the limit

    1. david

      Down to policing
      I bet several grads passed that scene but did nothing
      Any car that dose that deserves to be clamped
      Maybe its time that campers were used to ensure the cycle lanes curbs and pedestrian crossings were preceded
      A 200 euro fee paid to release clamp will ensure within a month that practice would end
      Got clamped in a hospital car park once when in for bringing a chef there with a sliced finger
      I was furious no argument could save me
      I was there for 10 minutes only and paid dearly
      Last time I ever parked without checking

  2. Cian

    While I agree that the roads need to be safe for all users – including cyclists and pedestrians, changes need to be data driven. 2017 had the lowest number of (total) road deaths in over 70 years. This is an amazing achievement, considering the increase in both people and cars, and should be lauded.

    If we are to reduce the number of cyclists killed we need to understand where and when are they being killed.
    – 10/15 were in 80kmh zones (or higher)
    – 13/15 were daytime
    – 7/15 were on Sunday
    – 11/15 were outside Dublin

  3. AssPants

    Why is it portrayed like cyclist’s are being murdered?????

    I walk Dublin 2 every morning with my dogs, and I wait patiently for pedestrian crossings to change in our favor. At every crossing I have to navigate cyclists who ignore the pedestrians right of way. I wouldn’t mind so much if my 14year old pooch was more able bodied, but the cyclists risk running her over as she is too slow to dodge the “traffic light kamikaze cyclists”.

    The day a cyclist hits my pooches will be memorable.

    1. manolo

      Why do you ask a question followed by 5 question marks only to focus on your pooches? Do you want to talk about the actual cyclist deaths or about your fear about your canines’ safety? Sure, cyclists should not put pedestrians (or animals) at risk, no issue there, but I don’t see the connection between the two parts of your post.

      1. Liam Deliverance

        Read his post, his dog is elderly, the man can adjust his trajectory and speed to avoid the cyclists (even though he shouldn’t have to as he has right of way), the dog has not the awareness nor the ability to change trajectory or speed, hence his concerns. Cyclist dodges dog and knocks man over, man is injured and cyclist in injured. He makes a fair point.

        1. manolo

          I don’t disagree with that, I just don’t see how this supports his opening question. Or is it a standalone/implied point? In any case, cyclists are being killed in increasing numbers, so is it not fair to ask for it to stop?

          1. Hansel

            The Dutch cycling campaign ran with “stop kindermoord” or however they spell “stop killing children” to great effect in the 60’s or 70’s.
            I presume this is what the organisers are aiming for.

            All it takes is a quick browse of the comments section here to know that we’re light-years away from the non-motor-centric approach here.

            “But I drives in de car and I pays de guvvmint some money” reigns supreme in Ireland unfortunately.

          2. Liam Deliverance

            Implied I guess, cyclist ignores pedestrian crossing red light, man and dog steps out, cyclist in attempt to avoid man and dog ends up under a cement truck, cyclist dies. In this scenario the common behavior (in this case ignoring red lights) of cyclists is the cause of the cyclists death. I am not saying that is always the cause, many other times it’s other road users. My point is that there is an accident, what was the cause, mitigate the cause. Was it because car users blocked up the yellow box and reduced visibility? If so, take measure to stop drivers blocking yellow boxes. Was it because a cyclist did not glance over his shoulder before avoiding a pothole, if so, raise awareness of this with cyclists.

          3. manolo

            There isn’t a single known case of a cyclist dying due to breaking rtl. In fact, the vast majority in the last 18 months were hit from behind. As for calling it an accident, it is not. It is avoidable death by car.

            As for “cyclist did not glance over his shoulder before avoiding a pothole”, I’ll use the response of a UK police force (@Trafficwmp) to a similar situation: “It is not the responsibility of the road user in front to facilitate a legal & safe overtake by a vehicle from behind.”

          4. AssPants

            Manolo….. it was just an observation…. and the question marks are simply to amplify a “confused” expression.

            My main points are regarding the main paragraph.

          5. Liam Deliverance

            You are only hearing what you want to hear Manolo, aren’t you, I tried to have a balanced conversation, I’ll leave you to it.

          6. manolo

            Liam, balance comes from addressing the problem, the source of risk, what is actually killing people. The ‘common theme’ is motor traffic, nothing else. If drivers stop driving into pedestrians, cyclists, other motor vehicles, then people stop dying.

            What you are trying to do is actually find ways to blame victims. That’s not a balanced approach.

          7. Liam Deliverance

            That’s 5 wrongs in one post Manolo, as I said, I’ll leave you to your disillusionment.

      2. david

        I empathise with him and his pooch
        We live in paradise west cork and every day I walk my beloved dog
        If anyone ran him down that day would be memorable
        It would resemble the Texas chainsaw massacre

    2. Cian

      “Why is it portrayed like cyclist’s are being murdered?????”

      It’s not!!!!!!

      That is just you projecting onto the article!!!!

      Why do you want to murder cyclists???

      1. rotide

        This past week has seen the tragic killing of a young person cycling
        It kind of is. It would be more accurate to say this week saw the death of a young person, but the killing makes it sound more dramatic. This article is full of spin in that regard.

        1. Cian

          I see where you are coming from. But there is a huge difference between killed (which the article uses) and murdered (which Asspant uses).

          Did the person die? yes.
          Were they murdered? no.
          Were they killed? I would argue that yes, they were killed.

          And 15 cyclists were *killed* last year. They didn’t just “die”. There was something else involved – that killed them.

          1. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

            Could we agree on “needlessly slaughtered” as a neutral statement?
            I just made myself laugh out loud. Slow day at the office.

  4. Bort

    Yesterday at 5.30 a driver on the Clonskeagh road made a right turn onto Whitebeam road and smashed into a cyclist coming in the other direction. Absolute insanity. The cyclist was in a bad way. I cycle occasionally but I drive more. People who cycle are usually more careful drivers. People who only cycle though are sometime maniacs! Everyone, drivers, cyclists, pedestrians all just need to take care and slow down. I for one have no interest in propelling myself 30kmph on a bike, if you hit or are hit my a car you’re toast.

    1. Emma

      I was knocked off my bike in the very same spot a few years back, same manoeuvre. Was lucky to get off with broken ribs and major bruising. I now cycle like an octogenarian (a safe but extremely cautious one).

    2. ZeligIsJaded

      Have had several near misses there, and with cars turning right on Beech Hill Road when coming the other direction.

      Of course, the response from the driver is usually anger at me for some reason best known to them.

      I genuinely think there would be more empathy if they were driving convertibles and not hidden in their little cocoons.

      Cars are obviously too easy to drive. I’ve had near misses with drivers eating their breakfast on that stretch of road. The mind boggles.

  5. Rugbyfan

    a Dublin Bike cyclist nearly killed me as I stepped on to the road last week, green light for me at the crossing yet she was going at pace against traffic in a cycle lane and took no notice of the red light for her…..

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