Members of ‘I Bike Dublin’, an cycling campaign group, are protesting outside an event transport Minister Shane Ross is attending this afternoon.
It is part of a series of protests this week under the “#StopKillingCyclists” banner — this afternoon the protesters are holding up posters with a red hand a text saying “their blood is on your hands”. Minister Ross has accepted 40 flowers from the protesters, the number 40 symbolising the deaths of cyclists on the road under the last three transport ministers — Leo Varadkar, Paschal Donohoe and Shane Ross.
Minister Ross is launching a Dublin Bus driver-training aid using virtual reality to “help increase driver awareness and safety of cyclists”. The event is taking place at Dublin2Bikes, a bicycle shop at Erne Street Upper, which is just off Pearse Street and near Pearse train station.
I Bike Dublin said that the flowers were presented to the Minister by 11-year-old Caoimhe Collins, who was accompanied by her father Peter. Caoimhe, who travels to school and elsewhere, said she wants to able cycle safely in Dublin.
Accepting the flowers, Minister Ross said that he was trying to do everything he can to protect cyclists, and that he will take the message back to his department and to the Road Safety Authority:
Thanks for accepting these 40 flowers Minister. Watch video with sound on for context. #StopKillingCyclists pic.twitter.com/x96T4jIvXS
— I BIKE Dublin (@IBIKEDublin) November 7, 2019
Oisín O’Connor, an I Bike Dublin spokesman, said: “We fully welcome Dublin Bus’ efforts, with minimal resources from the government, to make people safer while cycling on roads and bus lanes shared with double decker buses. Bus lanes are just as abused by private car drivers as cycle lanes are. We fully empathise with Dublin Bus drivers who are trying to do their job under terrible road conditions.”
Protesters have posted images and video of the event and protest outside:
We’re here at Dublin2bike bike shop to ask Minister Ross to #allocate4cycling and #StopKillingCyclists please talk to us @Shane_RossTD pic.twitter.com/4WBNkd8XUD
— I BIKE Dublin (@IBIKEDublin) November 7, 2019
Listening intently. We need you to listen to us and #StopKillingCyclists pic.twitter.com/Lvpb8C5Tl4
— I BIKE Dublin (@IBIKEDublin) November 7, 2019
MAIN IMAGE: Provided by I Bike Dublin.
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The reading about the victims yesterday outside the Dail and this action today have been fantastic. Anyone unable to empathize with people calling for safer conditions for people who cycle must have a heart of stone.