Calls For Cycling Speed Limit in Clontarf

James Fenton

A woman has written to Dublin City Council calling for the introduction of cycle speed limits between Dollymount and Sutton.

The plea comes after the woman’s son was nearly run over by a cyclist in the area.

According to the Irish Times, the letter reads follows:

“Myself and my husband were walking along the promenade last Tuesday morning and my toddler was on his tricycle in the bicycle lane.

“A couple of very professionally-dressed cyclists came speeding down the bicycle path at lightning speed and began yelling and cursing to get the child off the track.

“My child jumped off his bicycle in terror and ran straight out in front of them. My husband literally dived to push him into the nearby grass area where it took us several minutes to calm him.

“The cyclist continued to shout and yell as he sped on with no regard for the child who had a gash in the side of his stomach from the fall. I shudder to think what could have happened if my partner had not stepped in.

“There is a cycle lane on the road near the promenade for commuters too, whereas this one has always been used for recreational use and has always been child-friendly.

“There is no speed limit and speaking to other mothers in the area, they have each had a similar experience, all but one choosing not to bring their children to walk and cycle there anymore due to the very unsafe nature of these reckless cyclists who seem to think the rest of the pedestrians and children are impinging on their territory.”

The letter was sent last summer but was only released recently as part of a Freedom of Information request. Do you agree with the author of the letter? Let us know in the comments.