A MARRIED woman out for an early-morning cycle was struck and killed by a learner driver who was overtaking a cattle truck, a court heard. Joseph Hanley, 26, of 5 Sycamore Drive, Bruff, yesterday pleaded not guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to dangerous driving causing the death of Carmel O’Brien, 49, at Uregare, Kilmallock, on August 17, 2007. Continue reading Learner driver in court over cyclist death
Cycling or recycling? Founder’s award for bike business
ANNE BEDOS, the founder of Dublin not-for-profit bicycle business Rothar, has won the 2011 David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Award.
A community-based business, Rothar (meaning bicycle) recycles and sells discarded bicycles and offers training to young people wishing to learn bicycle repairs. Continue reading Cycling or recycling? Founder’s award for bike business
Report highlights lack of active travel
Half of all car journeys in the Greater Dublin Area involve trips of less than one mile, according to a report by Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH).
The institute said the use of private cars for “short and uncomplicated” journeys such as going to work or school had continued to increase in Ireland and highlighted the need to strengthen policies which promoted active travel.
It is calling for more policies to promote active travel, such as walking and cycling. Continue reading Report highlights lack of active travel
Cycling off the tracks
Madam, – I wonder does Richie McCormack (December 31st) have the imprimatur of South County Dublin Council when he calls for cyclists to use segregated cycle tracks when they are provided? If this is the official view of his council then it would be worrying indeed.
The reason many cyclists choose not to ride on segregated tracks but instead use the carriageway is because most of the tracks are poorly maintained (littered with slimy leaf mould or broken glass and gravel), with tree roots protruding through the pavement surface. The tracks are used willy-nilly as a parking place for builders’ skips and cars. In the recent snowy period they were not gritted or cleared of snow and ice, in contrast to most of the major roads to which they run parallel. Continue reading Cycling off the tracks
Bikes on trains – reservations now possible
After much delay there is now an interim solution for booking a bike space on a train.
You must book online and the bike space must be reserved at the same time as you purchase your ticket. If you buy two tickets you get two bike spaces, so if traveling in a group where only one needs a bike space they need to book separately
Flat bike fare is 6 euro single or 12 return this is cheaper than current fares for most medium to long distance journeys
On most trains the name of the bike owner should be displayed electronically at the bike rack
More information and feedback on Dublin Cycling Group’s Facebook page
Articles in Independent.ie and IrishTimes.com
Irish Rail’s announcement page, and their page on cycles and trains
Deep snow Stateside
The many joys of cycling in winter
Warm sun on your limbs is all very well, but riding though the chill and dark brings pleasures of its own
• Snow? Get on your bikes you lightweights
• How to stop your toes freezing
Cyclists who break law to get on-the-spot fines under new plans
Dublin cyclists who break traffic lights or who cycle on paths could soon be subject to ‘on-the spot’ fines, under new plans from Dublin City Council to crack down on offenders.
It has written to transport minister Noel Dempsey asking him to consider introducing a new system of fines after a meeting of one of its key policing committees sanctioned the move.
Bikes on buses?
Cycle friendly policies made mandatory for all Local Authorities – Cuffe
Minister for Sustainable Transport and Planning Ciarán Cuffe TD has announced that all local authorities will now be required to include specific policies and objectives in their development plans to encourage travel by bicycle and to enable the creation of safe, efficient and attractive networks of cycle routes, especially within urban areas. Continue reading Cycle friendly policies made mandatory for all Local Authorities – Cuffe