Little changes we can make to normalise cycling and encourage its uptake

With regard to the weather, I actually think all we need to do is change the narrative around it. Dublin in particular isn't actually that wet, one thing about those stats that say it rains 150 days of the year, that may be, but does it rain at the same time each of those days? (i.e. the time you would be on your bike).

Before COVID, I was commuting 14km each way 3 or 4 days a week. And for the craic I started noting when I got really wet on my Strava activities. (really wet being I had to change clothes cos I was wet thru, have a shower etc at my destination). I didn't count light showers that my rain jacket easily handled.

In a year, I flagged about 5 commutes as very wet. Just 5. out of about 6 to 8 trips a week x 47 working weeks =~ 300 trips. That's a really low percentage of trips. Even if I was rounding down, and you doubled the number of wet trips, it's still 10 in 300.

TL:DR; it's really not as wet as you think it is. (and good gloves do a lot for the cold days!)

I've seen a huge uptake in cycling with the advent of e-bikes, so I'd find ways of encouraging these.

I also think a 30kph speed limit would cheaply address some of the safety concerns that would-be cyclists have.

Its not just the fact that you get wet when it rains, for anyone who needs to wear glasses, it severely reduces your ability to see when it's raining, add in dark nights with street lights and headlights getting bounced around by the raindrops and it's not a great experience

Don't have windscreen wipers for the eyeglasses

(similar problem with motorcyclists)

I"m taking about bicycles hitting people or almost hitting people Vs non-incidents of nothing happening.

There is always more potential for death, all things being equal -which they aren't, the heavier the vehicle obviously.

Can you explain why it is you believe I'm a car driver? When I never indicated that.

I walk to work five days a week out of five. I don't own a car atm.

Okay that's grand. Your "oversized toys" comment is still gas and utterly ridiculous.

I gave up road cycling because it felt too dangerous to me, too many cars on the road. I'd like to see Netherlands -style lanes (as long as they aren't ripping up existing roads. Put them alongside or somewhere else).

Its only as a pedestrian that I'm speaking re cyclists jumping lights.

Anyway I agree it's only a side issue at best, I shouldn't be getting into a big debate over it.

Well as long as they aren't eliminating roads altogether I should say.

Griffith Avenue is a success yes

Pedestrians are less of a risk imo because while they cross the road and sometimes stumble onto the road, they are not continually sharing the road and more importantly, they are not capable of gently sailing off into the distance in a traffic jam without a care in the world or at least not any quicker than another person on foot.

That said, the law as it stands appears to compensate pedestrians in all circumstances where they come into contact with a car. I understand it is sensible to ensure car drivers remain aware and be prepared to stop based on what is happening on side walk etc and look out of pedestrians, I don't agree with the car driver being always at fault.