Are Irish roads akin to Mad Max

We've also allowed a car culture to be created, which means a lot of short journeys are done in vehicles because of the fear of walking or cycling on the roads. Something that actually wasn't there when me and my peers went around on foot or bike 40 odd years ago.

Speeding is so ingrained, it's not even perceived as an offence or a problem (which we can even see in this thread).

Not in rural areas, they drive like maniacs on country roads.

Bit of rose tinted glasses.

Joyriding was rampant in the late 80's early 90s. There were no go area's and many cars were uninsurable because of it.

But I agree "visible" Garda presence and enforcement has fallen off a cliff in recent decades.

In the Netherlands, bikes don't share the same space as cars in any built up area. And they have excellent public transport, so people will cycle to their local bus or train station, park the bike and get the bus/train

There are way fewer one off houses

There should be some sort of i.b.t. for cyclists before going on the road.

And I'm saying that as someone who uses cars,motorbikes, work vehicles and cycle.

I was cycling the other day and two other older fellas were in front of me out in the middle of the road chatting away not taking a blind bit of notice of their surroundings.

A road is something to get you in the main from a to b etc, but seems to have become a place for socialising these days.

People(no matter what mode of transport) need to realise the road is a dangerous place and act accordingly.

That's just silly.

1 out to white line in middle of road on a wide road.

I had to pass them them on other side of road.

Had room to pass them on inside or in between but didn't want to startle them.

2 + 3 they spent most of the time while I was approaching facing each other laughing and joking with the odd glimpse ahead to keep straight.

And still when I passed on the outside they got startled.

No your questioning it isn't worth it without knowing the finer details.

Calling bullshit when you weren't even there.

Say no more, that says it all.

Not sure how you get how forums work. if you want everything to be accepted at face value this is the wrong place.

You were right of course joyriding was common in Finglas at the time, they would then burn out the cars. Much less common now actually. But the little scrotes have spread out all round town now with their scramblers and their escooters. I went thru a whole bunch of them occupying an area recently it was like the wild west when a gang rides into town! I honestly have not seen anything like it before. Maybe it happened in the rougher suburbs and I never saw it.

What is obvious is that it seems that you can ride any kind of electric propelled vehicle with little repercussions . On the road,on the path,on the canal side. Do whatever you want almost. Free for all. Speed limit? Helmets? Also the kids with scramblers, how is that allowed?

What are the insurance implications ?

In the old days the Guards would nail you for anything, no light on your bike, thru a red light ,these days they just dont seem to be present. I can see the huge difference because I have spent a long time abroad.

Escooters are probably pretty cheap. I remember the horses and traps , there are still a few about which is great to see.

Anyway personally I think the situation with electric scooters and ebikes is very chaotic in Dublin. Anything goes essentially. Usage is expanding rapidly.

So they had about 20 seconds of clear space in front of them, not exactly a “large stretch of open road”, is it?

Fascinating to see the extensive efforts to play down the very real, evidenced dangers of drivers only matched by the extensive efforts to play up the very minimal dangers of cycling and scooters.

Just crossing the road earlier two Taxis broke the lights as the traffic inched along slowly. All we need are automated traffic cameras to stop that.

I was cycling.

I.B.T. = initial basic training

Therss driving instructors for lorries,cars motorbikes.

Be no harm cyclists getting the same.

A bit of a contradictory post.

You're against training but would like education.

I hold the view that 200 metres or more of open space on an urban road which is regularly chock-a-block with bumper-to-bumper traffic constitutes "a large stretch of open road" for that particular type of road. It seems you hold an alternate view. So be it.

The main point remains that it is wholly inaccurate for you to continue to claim that the survey in question found that 98% of drivers break urban speed limits.

What it actually found was that 98% of drivers surveyed exceeded one particular speed limit on one particular type of urban road, in very particular (and I suggest at least somewhat unusual) circumstances.

Incidentally, I have made no attempt whatsoever to either play down any one thing, or play up any other. In fact, I have made no mention whatsoever of cycling or scooters, so am not sure why you mention them in an exchange with me. I'm just a bit of a numbers nerd, and am simply asking that if you refer to statistics from this or any other report, that you please do so accurately, rather than twisting them to suit an agenda.

As an aside, the survey found that the average speed of those exceeding that particular limit on those particular roads and in those particular circumstances was 46 km/h. Again, hardly psychotic murderous breakneck Mad Max territory.

Given the minimal number of serious or fatal incidents on such roads at such speeds, a logical and pragmatic study of the findings might therefore consider that a 50 km/h limit on those roads would not constitute an excessive hazard or danger to life or wellbeing.

However, again I expect you would hold an alternate view. And again, so be it.

The training would cover all aspects but look it's a bit you say tomato thing.

Something should be done to help people keep themselves safer on the road.

If I'm cycling there's no way I'll be out in the middle of the road and assuming the person that comes up behind me is on the ball and will do the right thing and isn't some nutcase or someone on checking their face book, applying make up or whatever.

It's all about self preservation for me.

As someone who is on the road all day everyday I see way too much of people oblivious to the danger around them.

And that's everyone,cyclists,cars, motorbikes, lorries.

The reason I mentioned those cyclists was if they are in an accident with a car they will be the ones that come out worst.

Having the right to be on the road will be little consolation when they are busted up in a hospital bed.

Ultimately its not tests, driving or otherwise thats the issue.

No one fears enforcement.

I've saved myself countless times.

On a motorbike with 34 years.

Would be dead long ago if I didn't take steps to protect myself.

Yeah but shur, every little bit is a bonus.

I think the bonus you're looking for is to make it the victims responsibility.

Stay left mantra is a real motorist mindset of how they think people should cycle to facilitate motorists.

There's a lot of problems with always staying left as a cyclist.