Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
A PROPOSAL is to be submitted to Killarney Municipal District Council to consider appointing at least one full-time cycling etiquette officer to patrol the planned new urban cycle paths in Killarney and, if permitted, along popular routes in the national park.
Officials will hear a call for on-the-spot fines to be issued to cyclists found without a bell or a light on their bicycles with separate penalties for those detected not wearing proper safety gear, such as helmets and reflective bibs.
Fines are also to be recommended for cyclists observed not adhering to pre-determined localised safe speed limits.
An annual bicycle safety inspection – similar to the National Car Test – will also be proposed and the council will be urged to impose an annual tax on all adult cyclists to assist with the upkeep of dedicated paths and to fund safe cycling education programmes for children.
A 20-strong local group of concerned walkers and joggers and dog strollers, who are becoming upset by bicycles whizzing past them in the parks without alerting them by ringing a bell, will submit a detailed set of proposals to the town hall in the coming days. The group will seek the implementation of new local bye-laws to ensure proper cycling etiquette is being adhered to.
Spokeswoman, April Raleigh, welcomed approved plans to invest €5 million in dedicated cycle at six separate locations in Killarney but she said it also creates an opportunity for the local authority to ensure cyclists observe the required standards.
“It costs drivers €55 a year for an NCT test and that’s not taking the annual costs of maintaining a vehicle into consideration. Given that there is to be a new cyclist-first approach in Killarney, why shouldn’t they pay their way as well?” April asked.
“Roads are being reduced in size and cycle paths are being dramatically extended so fair is fair”.
Cyclists are not legally obliged to wear a helmet or hi-visibility clothing but the Road Safety Authority of Ireland recommends cyclists wear both are worn for safety and local bye-laws could make it essential to wear them.
“Having a bell or an air horn on a bike must be the absolute priority – and the louder it is the better. If somebody is found without one, then a €50 fine wouldn’t be long changing their mind,” April added.
She said cyclists need to pay their way with what she described as “an annual wear and tear contribution” for dedicated routes and the group will also seek the implementation of a a small ‘pay and release’ fee for cyclists using locks at covered bicycle stands located around Killarney.
“If we have to pay the council for parking our cars why don’t they have to pay for locking their bicycles at facilities provided?” the spokeswoman asked.
The recruitment of a cycling etiquette officer would also generate local employment and, the group believes, it could create more than one full-time job, given the whole new focus on cycling in Killarney.
“You couldn’t expect one officer to be issuing fines outside Fitzgerald Stadium one minute and on the Flesk cycleway the next so we would see potential for at least two people with possible three of four more part-time positions in the summer months,” April said.
The group is to meet this Thursday night to finalise the submission.
