Several flashpoints between cyclists and pedestrians have arisen on scenic walkways in and around Killarney National Park and it has led to renewed calls for all bicycles to be fitted with bells to warn pedestrians that bikes are approaching behind them.
Complaints have been made that people, many in full cycling sports gear, are travelling at speed and endangering people when zipping past pedestrians without warning.
The problem seems to be at its worst in the Fossa Way which runs from Fossa Cross to Knockreer.
This is in spite of signs at the entrance telling cyclists to have bells on their bicycles and advising pedestrians to listen out for them.
Local councillors have been told of a number of incidents whereby people walking side by side, dog walkers and parents pushing buggies have been greatly alarmed by cyclists whizzing past them.
“There is absolutely no warning that they are coming up behind you and, before you know it, they are almost brushing off you,” one local man told KillarneyToday.com.
“Some of the cyclists can get quite aggressive and verbally abusive, telling you to keep your children under control when they are walking along the pathway or to get out of their way.
“They don’t seem to realise that they are the ones at fault when they don’t have a bell on their bike and they don’t give any warning.
“There is a designated cycle path all the way from town out to Fossa so why don’t they use that instead of abusing a pedestrian walkway and putting people at risk?” he asked.
The problem persists despite the matter being raised at Kerry County Council level for several years.
Former Killarney councillor, Michael Gleeson, previously said unsuspecting walkers in the increasingly shared walking-cycling facilities were being put at unnecessary risk.
Ringing a bell would be of enormous benefit to walkers as cyclists move at great speeds and they appear right behind walkers before they could be heard, he maintained..
According to the Road Safety Authority, it’s the law to have a bell on a bicycle at all times
