Tag Archives: cyclists

THREE cyclists taking part in a race this morning were hospitalised, after one of the competitors clipped a jeep, causing something of a domino effect among a number of other participants. While a number of cyclists were hurt in the incident, none sustained critical injuries. The incident happened in the Clonmoney area, close to the Co-Op store, with the cyclists going in the direction of Newmarket. The road had to be closed after the incident happened at around 11.30am and it reopened around 1pm. No arrests were made and the matter is being investigated by Shannon Gardai. Owen Ryan

Last Wednesday, to celebrate National Bike Week, almost 700 children from Ennis and surrounds, along with 100 adults, took part in a 3km cycle around Ennis to promote the benefits of cycling to school. Starting from behind the Fire Station on new road, the peleton took a tour around the town, taking over the streets for almost an hour. At the finish at The Fair Green, the children were organised into groups to make up a giant   ‘1.5’ on the playing field to remind motorists to leave at least 1.5m space around cyclists on the road.                    

Clare County Council and members of the Clare Garda Division’s Traffic Corp will host a cycle awareness event in Abbey Street Car Park, Ennis, on Saturday, October 8. An articulated truck will be parked on site to highlight the existence of ‘Blind Spots’ around high-sided vehicles. The initiative forms part of Irish Road Safety Week 2016. In Ireland’s urban areas, between 2007 and 2015, 54 Vulnerable Road Users (cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists) were killed in collisions involving trucks. Collisions involving trucks accounted for 20% of urban VRU fatalities. According to Barry Keating, Road Safety Officer for Clare County Council, “Clare County Council is delighted to be joining An Garda Síochána in fully supporting any initiative that makes it safer for our most vulnerable road users.” “Due to their size and design, a truck has significant blind spots that present a danger to vulnerable road users. A driver’s field of vision, within a cab, is limited; the area immediately in front, …

More than 240 Fixed Charge Notices (FCN) have been issued to cyclists in the first two months of the introduction of the new regulations. Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe said the new regulations are helping to promote better cycling behaviour and keeping our cyclists and other road users safer on the roads. ” An Garda Síochána has indicated that between July 31 and the end of September a total of 244 fines have been issued to cyclists who have broken the law and committed one of the seven road traffic offences identified under the regulations. “Unsurprisingly, most fines have been issued for the offence of breaking a red light (144), with failure to have appropriate lighting on a bike accounting for the next highest number of fines at 44. “This measure was introduced with a view to promoting safe cycling practices and changing poor cycling behaviour and preventing needless collisions and injury on our roads. Last year, 13 cyclists were killed …

Legislation is being introduced at the end of the month for €40 fines for cyclists who commit road traffic offences. “Following consultations with the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána, I have decided to extend the fixed charge notice system to cyclists for seven of the 36 existing road traffic offences. These include breaking a red light, failure to have a front lamp or rear lamp lit during lighting-up hours and cycling without reasonable consideration.This new measure is intended to promote safe cycling practices and to discourage dangerous cycling,” Minister for Transport, Paschal Donohoe said. The months of May through to September represent the most dangerous months for cyclist injuries and fatalities. Last year 13 cyclists were killed on our roads, while this year to date, three cyclists have lost their lives. Minister Donohoe said, “The introduction of fixed charge notices for motorists has been hugely successful in changing driver behaviour and I am confident that a similar change in …

CYCLE Ireland, the website that provides online route guides for cyclists, has launched its new smart phone App that makes exploring Ireland quicker and easier. This could bring additional revenue to Clare, which already is a very popular destination for cycle  tourists. The Cycle Ireland App features 100 of the most scenic routes in Ireland, taking in top attractions and covering 6,800 kilometres. Photos, videos and route descriptions can be viewed on the Cycleireland.ie website and on the App. The App provides an opportunity to exploit Ireland’s massive untapped potential as a cycling destination. Bord Fáilte is actively targeting a potential market of 20 million cycle tourists and it is estimated that approximately 170,000 cycling enthusiasts and tourists will visit Ireland’s countryside this year. The Cycle Ireland App will help these cycle tourists to explore Ireland’s countryside. James Harrington, creator of the Cycle Ireland App sees a huge opportunity ahead for Irish tourism. “The popularity of cycling is exploding in …