Concern has been voiced by councillors in Killarney about bicycles travelling at dangerous speeds along a shared walking path and leisure cycleway in a section of Killarney National Park.
Councillors said they have received numerous complaints about the dangers posed by cyclists on the Fossa Way who are passing pedestrians – including the elderly and children –a frenetic pace on an almost daily basis.
Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Niall Kelleher, said some of the cyclists are attired in professional-style cyclewear and the speeds they are moving at was also at an almost professional level.
“That speed is not at all appropriate along a shared route and it is not going to end well with a number of close calls already,” he said.
Cllr Kelleher said he has received complaints that some cyclists have been verbally abusive to people walking with buggies or walking dogs on leads and it is important that respect and courtesy is shown to all users of the popular route.
There are also elderly people using the walkway in their recovery from procedures like hip replacements but there are disturbing reports emerging of people being abused by some cyclists if they are too slow to get out of their way, he said.
“The bottom line is that it is a recreation area and people training for high-intensity cycling events should know that the Fossa Way is not a suitable location,” Cllr Kelleher said.
The mayor said there is a cycle lane on the main road from Killarney to Fossa that doesn’t appear to be used very often but he acknowledged that people driving vehicles also need to be more courteous to cyclists.
Killarney is making a big effort to improve the cycling infrastructure in several areas around the town but, with that, must come responsibility, he added.
Cllr Brendan Cronin said he too has been made aware that some cyclists are travelling the Fossa Way at speeds that are almost at a professional level and it is simply not acceptable.
“There are children with bikes and trikes, people with buggies and elderly people using that walkway and they are being put in danger,” he said.
It was suggested that, at the very least, cyclists should have bells on their bikes so that they can alert pedestrians that they are approaching from behind. There are signs along the Fossa Way instructing cyclists to use their bells but the more high-tech cycles are not fitted with them.
Users on the route are also advised to keep left and pass on the right but the problem is compounded by the fact that cyclists are travelling in both directions, to and from Killarney town.
Killarney Municipal District Council is to write to the National Parks and Wildlife Service on the matter to seek greater monitoring and a workable solution.
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