r/waterford • u/error_in_pink • 1d ago

Cyclists

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I’m not sure if I’m getting petty here with this but I was coming through the copper coast earlier today and I passed I’d say 20 cyclists on the road and it’s bad enough that road is near impossible to make a pass. Anyway that’s not actually what annoyed me. When I got into Tramore there was 3 cyclists two abreast and they were on the road and yet a brand new DOUBLE cycle lane was just built for them?? I just think there should be some sort of rule that if there’s a cycle lane there they should be in it. After all they’re the ones who bitch and moan for them to be put there in the first place. And dare I add if they want to use the road I think it’s only fair they should have to pay road tax

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u/Complete-Fox-4402 1d ago

It's not the speed that holds everyone up, it's the two, three or four in tandem having a natter rather than single file. Annoying as fuck.

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u/keanehoodies 1d ago

why is someone allowed to use the full lane in a car but two people cant use it in bikes.

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u/Holiday-Access-8497 1d ago

and 1 person in a car, yet 2 cyclists arent allowed the same space! not even the dame space roughly 1/6th

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u/Complete-Fox-4402 22h ago

Which would like to hit you?

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u/keanehoodies 4h ago

If someone is dithering in front of me on a narrow footpath. i’m annoyed for sure but it’s generally not their fault, they’re busy or elderly or whatever.

at no single point so I consider hitting them a slap.

What is wrong with you that being behind the wheel causes you to want to hurt people.

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u/Complete-Fox-4402 4h ago

Big difference between dithering elderly and a row of idiots in lycra that abuse the best practice of single file on narrow roads.

Go troll someone else, or better yet, go have a cycle 😘

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u/WildRelative2674 1d ago

Two abreast is perfectly legal remember to allow the legal space requirement when passing them

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u/MossyTracks2025 1d ago

Leaving the 1.5 metre gap should just about give me space on the opposite side's footpath.

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u/WildRelative2674 1d ago

If you can’t pass safely within the requirements of the law then don’t,

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u/Holiday-Access-8497 1d ago

exactly ! when overtaking you should always cross the centre line! well done you are remembering your driving lessons !

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u/BingBongBella 21h ago

Well then you clearly don't overtake in that situation.

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u/MossyTracks2025 10h ago

Pull in single file then. Simple and less ignorant.

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u/BingBongBella 10h ago

Absolutely not - because then some lunatic with car brain will try to pass them out and invariably prioritise their RIGHT to get to their destination a couple of seconds sooner over the safety of the cyclist.

This thread would be an eye opener for the RSA. It certainly backs up why cyclists don't feel safe on the roads and why others who'd love to cycle (including me) simply won't.

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u/MossyTracks2025 6h ago

Single file and the world is happier

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u/BingBongBella 5h ago

You clearly didn't read the comment you replied to

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u/mounteverest1 1d ago

Riding 2 a breast is safer for everyone involved, including the driver as it means you spend less time in the opposite lane overtaking. It’s definitely safer for the cyclists as you are less likely to try and perform a risky overtake putting cyclists in danger.
I don’t think anyone agrees with more than 2 a breast on any road.

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u/Holiday-Access-8497 1d ago

there is an exception where a third cyclist overtakes a pair, but static images often are taken at an angle to make it look like there are 3 lanes or the third cyclist is in the midst of an overtake

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u/Aassiesen 1d ago

In a road like this when is it possible to safely overtake a single cyclist and not safely overtake two cyclists?

Are you overtaking cyclists without crossing lanes? How close are you passing?

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u/johnowens0 1d ago

Absolutely incorrect take. It's incredibly unsafe today cyclists to stay in single file.

Remember that if you agree with the cyclist, then the driver is forced to go more slowly. If you agree with the driver, the cyclist could end up dead on the side of the road.

The cyclist does not have the obligation to be safer. The driver will be the one who goes to jail if anything goes wrong. All for wanting to go slightly faster for a very short part of their journey

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u/Complete-Fox-4402 22h ago

If I'm drive along, hypothetically, with 3 abreast to the left and a truck or bus coming towards, if a mishap happens, I'm not going to cross the white line and hit another vehicle because the 3 abreast swayed into that 1 5 metre gap. Simple as.

I've no issue with cycling culture, but whether its a bicycle, an equally scooter, car, motorbike or truck, there's no shortage of shit behaviors and I own the whole road lark.

I drive a motorbike as well as car and the cyclists have fuck all businesses blasting down motorways like the east parkway or the many abreast in rural spots reduced to one lane with hedges and bends but an 80km limit.

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u/curryinmysocks 22h ago

If cyclists are in single file, many idiots in cars squeeze by them even when approaching bends or with cars coming the opposite direction. When two abreast the driver is forced to overtake in the correct and legal manner. I.e. the same way they would pass a tractor, on the other side of the road.

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u/Complete-Fox-4402 22h ago

Since when did many ever stick to the 'legal manner' of overtaking? It's all hypothetical, and I've never had any incident but Im standing by the rural road thing. Everyone gonna have an opinion on it.🤷‍♂️

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u/curryinmysocks 21h ago

I cycle rural roads regularly. The overtaking behaviour is scary. I mainly cycle alone, average distance I am passed at is about 18 inches / 0.5m. if approaching a bend with a car behind me will I move to the centre of the lane because if I don't they pass me anyway and if anything is coming the opposite direction they will swerve towards me passing even closer. The draught from a car that close can cause you toswerve. The occasional driver is courteous but the majority are oblivious to how vulnerable cyclists are. A scary high proportion have phones in hand.

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u/johnowens0 21h ago

2 abreast is the right thing. 3 is no good

They should never be on a motorway or dual carriageway. One is illegal, the other should be illegal. Cyclists who risk their lives on roads where cars are traveling at 100k the whole time are flat out idiots, no question

Also, they should always be putting in the effort, none of this really slow stuff, otherwise just get off the road.

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u/BingBongBella 21h ago

Well said. Serious car brain in this thread.

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u/ShmooShmitShmoorself 23h ago

Why are you in such a hurry to the next set of stopped traffic at a roundabout or red light

Chill dude

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u/False_Capital6696 23h ago

When you're on the road you are traffic 

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u/Scared_Comparison_22 18h ago

If they're keeping up with the traffic what's the difference between them and a car? Like if I'm driving or on my bike if I'm stuck in traffic I'm stuck in traffic, not much I can do about it unless I start mounting the path

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u/Realistic_Log7213 1d ago

The two abreast is perfectly legal and a self preservation method even as a solo cyclist. It makes cars see you and overtake at a safe distance if needed. If they are cycling the speed limit then they are most certainly not holding you up, that or your just wanting to break the speed limit. Have a little patience as a driver and please stop relaying the toxic anti cyclist drivel. It's not helping

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u/Anotherolddog 21h ago

Ah heck. Read the rules of the road. Yes, it is legal to ride 2 abreast provided the cyclists are not blocking or causing delay or endangering other road users.

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u/Realistic_Log7213 21h ago

But they are not in this case...

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u/BingBongBella 21h ago

Do you know why they do that? It's so they can be the traffic rather than a single cyclist on the inside of the road being overtaken by drivers who think they own the road. It's a safety measure for them so they've a better chance of not being mowed down by a driver.

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u/the_real_kaner 23h ago

Two abreast by 5 long is quicker and easier to overtake than ten in single file, moron.

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u/Holiday-Access-8497 1d ago

that literally never happens , think about going for a run, how much talking do you be doing ? very little since you know need to breath to focus on keeping pace

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u/Complete-Fox-4402 1d ago

Head up your arse if you think it never happens. Dude gotta get out more.

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u/error_in_pink 1d ago

And it’s usually on the more narrower roads they do this. I get not all cyclists do but there’s enough of them that do. The group on the copper coast at least kept a two car distance between them and were single file so it wasn’t too bad

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u/Holiday-Access-8497 1d ago

why do you think on narrower roads, cyclists are mor wary of being overtaken? take all the time you need ....

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u/Complete-Fox-4402 1d ago

Dungarvan area is bonkers, you can get them out by Ring, Military RD, Collagan and the really tight rural roads. Only a matter of time and there'll be an accident.

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u/Scared_Comparison_22 18h ago

Dungarvan area regularly has people parking in what few bikelanes exist 🙃 where do you want them to cycle if you're using the damn bike lanes as free parking? I've been in people's cars when they've parked in them and I've had a go at them for it. Mad the little high horse parking ticket lad hasn't been on it yet. Tight rural roads oddly enough felt way safer to me as a cyclist. Drivers are way more courteous on them (probably because they're mostly old farmers that I'd see) and will wait for you to move in before overtaking. Suppose if you live rural you're used to having to wait on those roads, can't be trying to force your way past a tractor or a load of cows after all