Essential Guide to Driving Around Cyclists in Ireland

In 2020, Ireland’s National Transport Authority published the Dublin Metropolitan Area Bike Life report, made up of statistics and commentary gathered from the previous year. 

Though it only related to the capital, the report nonetheless provided revealing insight into attitudes towards cycling in Ireland, with 21% of those surveyed stating that they do not cycle but would like to, with safety concerns cited as the chief reason not to. 

Indeed, cycling in Dublin city can be a daunting and even unappealing prospect, thanks to endless traffic activity and congestion. Rural roads, meanwhile, present their own challenges, with everything from a lack of designated cycle lanes to unpredictable terrain to blind spots in play. A similar 2023 report for Galway found that personal and road safety offers up “the single largest barrier” to cycling. 

And then there’s Ireland’s troubling - and increasing - record of road fatalities, a problem that both the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána are visibly struggling with. To note - collision data in recent years is difficult to ascertain due to a GDPR issue, which is frustrating attempts to improve on alarming trends. 

All of which is to say it’s completely logical for budding cyclists to have second thoughts about venturing out onto Irish roads, and for experienced cyclists to have their own significant concerns in mind every time they grip the handlebars. 

As a driver, you’re likely to encounter cyclists on a regular basis, so it’s important to study up on safe practices and then apply them accordingly. 

Understanding the Rules of the Road for Cyclists in Ireland

The laws in Ireland apply equally to those on two wheels, and so just like motorists, cyclists must obey the rules of the road. 

Some of the most important rules include: 

• The bike is in proper working order
• Stopping at traffic lights when required
• Stopping at pedestrian crossings
• Stopping at designated cycle lights when required
• Stopping at stop signs
• Yielding the right of way at yield signs 

It’s also worth familiarising yourself with precisely where cyclists may roam. Are cyclists allowed on motorways, for instance? The answer is a firm no. The same applies to bypasses - this should be a bicycle-free zone. 

Cycling along a dual carriageway is not illegal, though sticking to an identifiable cycle track is highly recommended. 

From your perspective inside your vehicle, be advised that it is an offence for any cyclist to hold onto another moving vehicle, per the Road Traffic Act 1961. You should also be aware that while it’s mutually beneficial for a cyclist to wear a helmet and/or high-visibility clothing, they are not legally obliged to do so. 

Anticipating Cyclist Behaviour

As you know, there is a huge, significantly more protective difference between a human being sitting behind the wheel of a car, and someone perched on a bike saddle. 

Cyclists don’t tend to have the luxury of a windshield, for one. There’s no airbag ready to cushion a potentially fatal blow in the event of an accident. Generally, a cyclist is a notably vulnerable figure on a busy and fast-moving road. And that’s before you take their unique behaviour into account. 

Be mindful of how a cyclist may react in different traffic situations such as challenging and sudden changes to the elements - strong winds and rain storms can arrive without warning - or difficulties served up by the terrain - a two-wheel bike is likely to struggle with potholes and cracked surfaces a lot more than your motor vehicle. 

There is also the perception that drivers and cyclists are natural adversaries, and while there may be some ugly truth to that, do your best to keep relations peaceful. On that note… 

Decoding Cyclist Hand Signals

Communication is key in the fleeting-yet-tense relationship between driver and cyclist. 

All road users have a shared responsibility to indicate any sudden or important directional movements. However, most cyclists don’t have bespoke indicator lights and therefore have to rely on hand signals to clearly illustrate their intent. 

By law, a cyclist is required to signal properly to the traffic around them, bearing in mind the different viewpoint perspectives of oncoming and from-behind drivers. 

Get to know the signals below so you can react properly and safely when met with them. 

Cyclist Hand Signals for Oncoming Traffic 

Image via Road Safety Authority of Ireland (RSA)

Give Cyclists Enough Space

If Ireland had cycle lanes across every inch of road nationwide, maybe that aforementioned spiky relationship would be a little more harmonious. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and often a cyclist and motorist will fight for space. 

Remember, you’re bigger and more powerful - and more dangerous - than they are, so be careful to provide cyclists with enough space during close encounters. 

Multiple state bodies in Ireland regularly ask drivers to slow down and keep a safe distance when overtaking cyclists, and to respect the minimum passing distance of at least 1 metre in speed zones up to 50 kilometres per hour, and at least 1.5 metres in zones above 50 km/h. 

Be mindful that cyclists are more susceptible to abrupt weather changes and can be physically thrown off course by sudden gusts of wind or outbreaks of heavy rain. 

Overtaking Cyclists Safely

When overtaking a cyclist, you should always keep both your and their safety at the forefront of your mind and take the following steps: 

• Be careful with your speed 
• Remain calm and don’t rush
• Check your mirrors for other traffic in your close proximity 
• Watch out for blind spots
• Check for oncoming traffic that you may encounter while overtaking
• Take extra care at junctions
• Use your indicators 
• Avoid antagonising or intimidating the cyclist with aggressive manoeuvres
• Allow them time and space - adhere to the minimum passing distance rule 

Check for Cyclists Before Opening Your Door

For those unfamiliar, the term ‘dooring’ refers to an incident in which the door of a motor vehicle is opened directly into the path of another oncoming road user. 

As you can imagine, this can lead to an extremely dangerous collision, particularly if that oncoming road user is a cyclist. 

Dooring often occurs when either a passenger is exiting a car door as the vehicle is briefly stopped in order to let them out, or when a driver has parked and is stepping out from their vehicle. Just because the engine is switched off and the car is away from the middle of the road does not mean there is no imminent danger present. 

It’s of great importance that drivers and passengers take their time to exit the vehicle, checking for any oncoming traffic that may collide with an open door. 

One popular method to avoid such a disaster is the ‘Dutch Reach’, in which the driver opens their car door using their hand that is furthest from the door itself, allowing them the opportunity to check their mirrors and blind spots for oncoming traffic. 

Eliminate Distracted Driving

The Dutch Reach method was first developed in the 1970s. Society has evolved an awful lot in the decades since, including how we behave on our roads. Technology has greatly helped in many respects, but it can also hinder us and cause major damage. 

Take the introduction and eventual omnipresence of mobile phones, for example. To many of us, they’re like an extra limb. Sadly, we’ve all likely witnessed a driver staring at their smartphone when their eyes should be on the road in front of them. 

Don’t be that person - keep the phone away from your hands when they’re supposed to be on the wheel. Distracted driving is a big factor when it comes to accidents, but it’s a massively preventable one. 

Distractions - be they of a technological nature or otherwise - take your attention off your environment and increase the chance of an accident, particularly where cyclists are concerned. Remember how fragile they are by comparison, and how changeable their circumstances can be, and cut out your own personal distractions accordingly. 

What to Do If You’re Involved in a Collision with a Cyclist

If an accident does happen, it’s vital to know what happens if you hit a cyclist with your car. 

For starters, you legally need to remain at the scene, per Section 106 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. If and when a member of An Garda Síochána arrives, you must provide them with the following information: 

• Your name and address
• The address where you keep your car (if different from home address)
• The name and address of the car owner (if different from previous)
• The registration number of the vehicle 
• The motor insurance details related to the vehicle, including expiry date

If a member of An Garda Síochána is not present at the scene, you are obliged to provide the above information to the injured party and/or a person asking on their behalf. You are also required to provide it to the owner or the damaged property - in this case a bike - or a person asking on their behalf. 

If, for whatever reason, none of these people are present, you must entrust the information to an independent individual who was present at the time of the collision. It is also your responsibility to report the incident to the Gardaí as soon as possible. 

If you are able, it would be helpful to you to record as much real-time information as you can - get the corresponding information of anyone else involved in the collision, as well as any witnesses present. 

Write down exactly what happened in case your memory of the event is hazy later on. Take photographs of the scene. Make a note of the name and/or number of any members of An Garda Síochana you speak with.  

Car Insurance and Cycling Safety

Gathering as much of the above information as possible will prove useful in the event of an insurance claim, be it one you are making or one made against you. 

Notify your insurance company about the incident as quickly as possible - you must do this within seven days. Have your policy number ready along with your name, address, and car registration number. 

The insurance company will also need the details of the other party involved in the collision, and any photos you have taken of the scene. 

Conclusion

Safe driving practices should be a baseline for any driver, regardless of who and what they encounter on the road. Some specific road users, however, require special attention and care, with cyclists representing a more vulnerable challenge. 

It’s important to gain a sense of their perspective in a bid to anticipate their behaviour and movement on the road, and how that relates to your own position in the car. 

Ask yourself - do I know the rules of a road for a cyclist as well as myself as a driver? Do I understand how they communicate with other road users? Am I giving them enough physical space? Am I focused enough in my own approach to safety? 

And if the worst happens, am I confident that my insurance company will look after me? 

At AIG, we know how stressful and shocking an incident such as this can be, and so we aim to take the utmost care of our clients when going through this process. 

To make a claim or report an accident, contact us by phone on 01 8599 700 and an agent will guide you step by step through every detail. You will then be able to instantly download our claim forms and mail them back to the agent once filled out. 

As ever, we have a range of options designed to suit drivers of all experience levels, including tailor-made policies for young and first-time drivers and our unique telematics ‘black box’ insurance coverage. Get a quote with us today.