The problem is Latrade, most of Dublin City streets were not designed for cars, buses and bicycles all using the same piece of tarmac. I have seen crazy cycle lanes that are part of a main driving lane, no actually there is no driving lane at all if you look at it from one perspective.
My experience is of driving the M50, Chapelizod by-pass, Conyngham Road, Quays, Bolton Street, Dorset Street is;
Most cyclists ignore traffic lights, road signs and cars & pedestrians. A lot even ignore safety guidelines by not wearing appropriate clothing and lighting.
Many drivers ignore the Bus Lane in operation on Conyngham Road.
Most drivers are ignorant to the fact that they must drive in the left hand lane of a motorway unless overtaking. Most drivers seem to think they should and are allowed sit in the middle lane.
Most pedestrians ignore crossings and lights and simply walk out anywhere they like.
Some drivers think a red light means put the foot down and hope nothing hits them from the side
Most truck drivers totally ignore their speed limits on all roads
Ok, I can't really dispute that and completely agree in terms of the design of roads. Bus lanes are squeezed in and then cycleways on top of that.
The upshot is that everyone in some way contributes through their actions or inactions and effects the safety of the roads. I just dispute singling out one example either to in some way state they mostly contribute to their own downfall or that their actions justify someone else's breach of road traffic laws.
Though you did forget motorcyclists, don't ge me started on them...
Anyway, even as someone the new law is said to be aimed at protecting when I cycle, I think it's stupid. I've had a couple of close calls and accidents while cycling, not one of which was actually my fault (I would say that) but also not one of which would have been in anyway avoided with the new speed limits. I'd have still been knocked off and ended up with the dislocated shoulder and the myriad other war wounds.
Again, most accidents for cyclists in the city centre have nothing to do with speed, it's positing at traffic lights, drivers/buses/taxis pulling out or in, etc.
Pedestrians? Well yeah, it's pretty much a fact that of you're hit at 20mph it does less damage than at 30mph. But it's also pretty much a fact that if you use the pedestrian crossings you tend to keep your legs anyway.
Just enforcing the laws we have already would have been enough, but then that would have meant people getting pulled in at a greater rate than before, which I'm sure would have been labelled as a waste of gardai time.
I remember visiting Monaco and crossing the road, the lights had changed for us to cross and we were literally one foot off the pedestrian crossing marking. There was a Policeman across the road and he shouted at us to halt, go back and walk on the actual walkway (once the lights changed again).