'I think the judiciary needs training' Green Party co-chair hits out at judge’s cyclist criticism

Vivienne Clarke

The co-chair of the European Green Party Ciarán Cuffe, who is also a cycling activist, has expressed concern at the comments about cyclists by a judge in a court case on Monday.

Judge James O’Donohoe told the Circuit Civil Court that cyclists had become a nightmare in Dublin. “You never know with cyclists what they are going to do or anticipate what they are going to do,”

Mr Cuffe told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that it was “absolutely incumbent on the judiciary to ensure that they have a broad perspective on what it's like to travel around the roads and streets

“I almost choked on my cornflakes when I read those comments. "It was essential to have a balanced perspective and consider the experiences of different road users, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, he added. There needed to be mutual respect by all road users.

Mr Cuffe also said there was a need for lower speed limits, segregated cycling facilities, better pedestrian crossings, and enforcement of traffic laws.

"We need to focus on making walking and cycling safer on our streets, and I certainly agree with Ciaran Cannon from Cycling Ireland, who is deeply disappointed with the judge's remarks.

"We need a whole array of investments to make sure that our streets are safe. I think, of course, we need respect on the roads. We need every road user to take account, not just of their own safety, but of the safety of others."

“I think we should look at best practices abroad. And best practice abroad is that you introduce a city-wide lower speed limit, and that is a huge bonus in terms of road safety. But then you also put in the facilities that are much needed. And actually something that doesn't get talked about is training and education and I think the judiciary, like every profession, needs training and continued professional development.

“We live in a time where we should assist those who wish to travel by car, by bus, by tram, on foot, on by all those different modes and I think when it comes to cycling the number of cyclists dying or being seriously injured on our roads is going in the wrong direction and the solution to all of this is of course to have respect on the roads but to put in decent infrastructure and to have a minister who takes responsibility for the problems that are arising on our roads.”