Cycling campaigners to stage second “die-in” outside Dail

Cycling campaigners are to stage a second silent “die-in” — or lie-down protest — outside the Irish houses of parliament this Wednesday.

The first die-in happened last November as the number of cycling deaths mounted, and campaigners are staging another after four cycling deaths involving a collision with a motorist since the start of 2018. The latest death this year was a 19-year-old who died in a collision with a truck last Wednesday.

Two groups, I Bike Dublin and the Dublin Cycling Campaign, have joined together to call on people who cycle in Dublin to join for the protest them outside the gates of Leinster House on Kildare Street at 6.00pm this Wednesday.

In a joint statement the groups said: “This past week has seen the tragic killing of a young person cycling on Dublin roads, bringing the total number of cyclists killed this year to 5. 2017 was the deadliest year for people who cycle in Ireland with 15 deaths, the highest in 10 years.

It added: “The issue of safe streets is not just affecting people who cycle; 14 pedestrians have already lost their lives this year. It is worth noting that 2017 had the lowest number of fatalities for people in motorised vehicles in over a decade.”

The group said it is calling on the Government for “a minimum of 10% of transport budget allocated for safe cycling and walking” and for better design of cycling and walking infrastructure, “especially at junctions where people are forced to interact with motor vehicles.”

Stephen McManus, of I Bike Dublin, said: “Why isn’t the state investing in safe streets? If Ireland cares for all of its people, including those who walk and cycle, then it must ensure that we are protected from heavy vehicles. This death was tragic and completely avoidable — if we had streets which were designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists”

Paul Corcoran, chairman of Dublin Cycling Campaign, said: “The streets should be there to facilitate movement of all people safely, that means those walking, cycling, using public transport or driving. However, the number of people who have been killed while cycling has been growing, and this is a massive concern for us. The government needs to invest at least 10% of the transport budget for cycling infrastructure now to protect vulnerable road users. Don’t let 2018 continue this deadly trend.”

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