Cyclists have been described as the “biggest threat” on the roads, from a woman who is herself a cyclist.

In yesterday’s Irish Times, columnist Kathy Sheridan described cycling in her local area as “challenging and deadly”. 

She also hit out at the “aggressive speed and silence” of many cyclists. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, barrister and cyclist Brenda Power said she agrees that cycling is not an activity that comes without risks. 

“The biggest threat that I see as a cyclist regularly on the road is from other cyclists,” she said. 

“Particularly, not necessarily, men but it does seem to be men who get annoyed that maybe a woman cyclist is not going as fast as they’d like and so will overtake in these very narrow cycle lanes. 

“You don’t hear a sound from them; they’re too grand to use a bell or call out a warning. 

“So, the first that you know is the whistle of air and you think, ‘I could have just swerved to avoid a pothole’ - because these cycle lanes are still riddled with potholes and bad surfacing, just as you flew by. 

“And then, we would have collided at speed - so, definitely, there’s dangerous behaviour from cyclists. No question about it.” 

A cycle traffic light. Picture by: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Dublin cyclists

Ms Power added that it is a “rare day” that she cycles in Dublin “without a near miss”. 

“Whether it’s another cyclist, whether it’s a pedestrian or a motorist opening his door,” she said.  

She speculated that many people’s behaviour is down to money. 

“People have some very expensive bikes now,” she said. 

“There are the electric bikes; so, they want to speed and they want to show off. 

“I, personally, drive a 32 bike that has been left unlocked in the middle of the city.” 

'A sense of superiority' 

Ms Power continued that she feels many cyclists think they are superior to their fellow commuters in cars. 

“I think there’s a sense that, ‘Look, I’m doing my bit for the environment, you’re sitting in your car, I’m out in the rain and the wind and I’m vulnerable’,” she speculated. 

“‘There you are, surrounded by tons of metal, you can bloody well let me go ahead of you now.’ 

“I don’t think that’s misplaced; I don’t know if it’s arrogance, I think it’s more a sense of superiority, to be honest. 

“Tempered with vulnerability.” 

Despite this, she added that she understands why some cyclists cycle through red lights. 

“I think there’s a good reason why cyclists break the red light if the road is clear, to get ahead of the traffic that is going to be started up alongside you,” she said. 

“Especially if you’re going to be wobbling a bit as you pull away.” 

Although there are safety risks, there are also huge health benefits that come with cycling. 

In the Netherlands, where the number of people who cycle is high, cycling is estimated to prevent 6,500 premature deaths every year.

Main image: A cyclist and a driver. Picture by: Monika Wisniewska / Alamy.com.