EM - August/September 2013 - (Page 22)

22 August/September2013 www.esb.ie/em HEALTH & HABITAT Image in-box a selection of your photography SAFE DRIVING BUREAU CYCLING IN THE SUN By Grainne Coogan ALL DRIVERS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK OUT FOR AND PROTECT VULNERABLE ROAD USERS, OF WHICH CYCLISTS ARE ONE GROUP 1. 2. • • TIPS FOR DRIVERS • Cyclists are much smaller, can be difficult to see and a larger vehicle passing too close or too fast could blow them over 3. • • • Remember your blind spots – check all mirrors before manoeuvring. • Check for cyclists if you are opening your door onto the road • Slow down – the faster your drive, the less time you have to react • Proceed very slowly round lefthand bends – there could be a cyclist around the corner • Use daytime running lights – it is much easier for all traffic to see you, including cyclists. You are making them more alert to the presence of an oncoming vehicle and giving them a better chance of avoiding it 4. 5. There are also measures that cyclists must take to protect themselves when using the roads and to comply with the rules of the road: TIPS FOR CYCLISTS 1. ‘Coolkeeragh Rainbow’ by James Hockley. 2. ‘Coolkeeragh Sunrise over the Foyle’ by P. Doherty. 3. ‘Fire on Howth Head’ by Roisin O’Hea. 4. ‘Power to the People at Dunlewy, Co. Donegal’ – Anon. 5. ‘Common ringed plover’ by B. Robinson. WHAT’S NEW? ON YER BIKE! By Dave Walshe THE ‘NEW’ PHENOMENON that is cycling has really taken off in recent years. Lots of lycra-clad bodies are familiar sights on our roads, with a lot more joining them. The increase is down to a number of factors, including the ease of getting around – the Bike to Work Scheme, health benefits and the proliferation of suitable clothing. There isn’t a fundraising meeting held in this country where a charity cycle isn’t top of the agenda because of the large potential participation. For cyclists, the level of organisation required to run such an event is appreciated as I experienced first-hand when I recently cycled from Mizen Head to Malin Head. If I was to undertake organising this myself I doubt if I’d have attempted it. Training for this was very enjoyable and has led me to take part in many more cycle challenges. Once you get the bug you will be looking to take part in events, such as the Wicklow 200 and the Ring of Kerry. ESB International has, for the past number of years, cycled between the Dublin and Cork offices (The O2O Cycle) in a day. Despite all the plusses related to cycling, our current initiatives into cycling are somewhat less than ideal. There is new legislation coming to provide for fixed penalty fines for cycling transgressions, most notably breaking red lights. Non-cyclists see this as a major transgression, but in some parts of France it is allowed and encouraged. In the UK, Kensington and Chelsea, councils allow cyclists to go the wrong way up/down a oneway street because, remember, one-way streets are for traffic calming measures and make no sense when applied to cyclists. We spend multi-millions on road infrastructure, but little on pathways/routes for cyclists. More people use bicycles than public transport in Dublin. Cycling is a fast and effective way of getting around and its wider adoption should be seen as a health and transportation positive and earmarked for • Remember, you are sharing the roads with other machines, much bigger and faster than you • It’s law to have a bell on your bike more funding and positive initiatives. Some cycling musts are insurance and proper protective equipment and clothing. Do not get on a bike without a helmet; in the same way as you • • • • • • at all times and to have working lights, white or yellow to the front and red to the rear, after dark Obey the rules of the road – they apply to all. Obey rules applying at traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, pelican crossings and zebra crossings A cyclist must use a cycle track if it is provided and must obey cycle track lights Don’t ever ride or attempt to ride a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs – it is against the law Make yourself as visible as possible at all times – wear a reflective belt and/or reflective vest Wear a correctly-fitting cycle helmet When making a turn, look behind to check, signal clearly with your arm held out, look again and move into new position Make sure your brakes work – check your brake blocks and replace when worn When passing parked cars give a wide berth in case someone opens the door Don’t use a personal entertainment system or a mobile phone while cycling Don’t take up a position on the inside of a large vehicle out of view of the driver. Instead, stay behind if the large vehicle has stopped at a junction with the intention of turning left. Remember, all vehicles have blind spots and the driver may not be able to see you. n For more information contact Gráinne Coogan, Communications Officer. Tel: (01) 463 1721; email: safedriving@ esb.ie; web: http://esbnet/safedriving. wouldn’t drive or be driven in a car without a seatbelt. But please do ‘get on yer bike’. You’ll be glad you did. n For more information on the Bike To Work Scheme, visit www.biketowork.ie. http://www.esb.ie/em http://esbnet/safedriving http://www.biketowork.ie

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of EM - August/September 2013

EM - August/September 2013
Contents
News
Innovation
Generation & Wholesale Markets
BSC & Electric Ireland
ESB Networks Ltd
Health & Habitat

EM - August/September 2013