Cyclists drive me round the bend
Monday March 31 2008
Presumably these belong to cycling clubs, as they usually appear in clusters along the roads.
I had what seems to be a typical encounter at 11am on Sunday last.
Two guys in all the racing gear, on racing cycles, cycling two abreast on a fairly narrow 'B' road.
The outer guy was about two feet from the line in the middle of the road.
As I approached he looked back and saw me, but continued talking to his friend on the inside rather than moving in either ahead of or behind him to let me pass.
Eventually I got past them, having to pull the car entirely to the other side of the road, as they were taking up the space of an entire car.
This is commonplace at weekends.
If I am not mistaken, cyclists are supposed to cycle in single file. I do not remember a law whereby it is 'Single file unless you are on a racing bike'.
I have a lot of sympathy for cyclists, having been one for a long time (and having nearly been flattened by a truck ).
I don't, however, have any time for these guys.
The irony is, they are putting themselves at most risk.
For example, if a motorist has to pull right out into the 'wrong' side to overtake and the right wheel of the car goes into a hole / sunk drain cover by the kerb at the opposite side, where will the car go? Straight away the cyclist on the outside of the inside lane is going to be dead or seriously injured.
The outer guy is taking away the error margin.
It is time that they and the clubs they presumably belong to start taking responsibility.
It is not a closed-road situation like the Tour de France. They are acting in an irresponsible manner on public roads, and putting themselves at risk -- not to mention frustrating other road users.
ANTHONY HALPIN
BRAY, CO WICKLOW
