Thanks, and I won't pretend I'm always right. I was attempting to understand why you chose the title you did, and seemed to be suggesting in the opening and other posts that the cyclists in question should not have been using the road, saying they were crazy for doing so. If I'm wide of the mark on my interpretation, it seems from other responses that I'm not alone. Please clarify if you feel that doesn't sum up your opinion or reading of the situation in the opening post (where it's not clear if the cyclists were overreacting or had a justifiable reason to complain, did you see the incident and the space allowed?).
There is some confusion because you speak of the need for common sense and respect from all road users towards each other, and this conflicts with some of your other postings. I'd be strongly of the opinion that there isn't enough common sense and respect on the roads, but that is endemic across all road users and to single out any specific grouping is unfair and unhelpful.
Let's recap for a minute. There seems to be some confusion on my stance in this instance. I never said cyclists should not be allowed to use our roads. What's confusing of my view that we need common sense and respect from all road users?
The instance I'm referring to was advertised as a cycle race from a fort in Cork City to another fort in Crosshaven. The section of the road between Carrigaline and Crosshaven is narrow and has a walk/cycle greenway running alongside which was nearly empty on the day in question. This was not a race where a few cyclists squared up to each other and cycled like fury to the destination. The "race" was a slow cycle for most of the participants starting at different times and finishing over several hours.
While I drove the road and after I had stopped at a picnic table I noticed several cyclists waving fists, giving two fingers, shouting etc at motorists. One motorist (a cultivated English tourist) stopped after receiving the abuse and pointed to the greenway next to the road and suggested cyclists would be safer there because of the narrow public road. It was a Sunday and there were other events taking place in Crosshaven. The tourist rang the Gardaí after she felt intimidated by a loud cycling mafia of eejits who thought they owned the road. This was only one of several like incidents. Most of the cyclists and motorists behaved well, but as usual there were minorities who were just bullies and had no regard for any other road user and sought nothing other than attention.
Was the route patrolled by stewards?:- When passing I did see three men together with red flags in Carrigaline who appeared to be doing nothing more than talking to each other.
Was there a Garda presence?:- I noticed one squad car patrolling the Carrigaline - Crosshaven road once. It is likely that there were several patrols after the reports of bullying.
Should the public road have been closed?:- I don't think so. People driving should have entry to Crosshaven.
Should cyclists be obliged to use the greenway on the day of the race?:- I think so, but pedestrians should have been prevented from using it.
Somebody will probably say that the rights of pedestrians are curtailed not being allowed to use the greenway. But, I reckon the common sense option and in the interests of safety, an exception should have been made for the occasion. Furthermore, there should have been a time limit for the "race" from start to finish. It was a fund raiser and cyclists started and finished over many hours.
Like I said earlier, I drive and cycle too. Of course, I have seen stupid motorists, I have seen stupid cyclists and even come across stupid pedestrians on occasions. Nobody is perfect.
These cycle races are becoming more and more popular and that is a good thing. If they are supervised properly, organised well and in advance, time controlled, with a sufficient garda presence there may be fewer problems. Throw in common sense and respect from all and you have a terrific occasion. The alternative is unthinkable.
I hope this clears up any confusion on my opinion. If not please feel free to ask specific questions and I will try to answer.
