The brother of a cyclist killed while commuting to work has urged people to take extra care over the Christmas and said it “feels very futile that life can be ended over something so preventable”.
Neil Fox, who lost sister Donna in 2016, said less than a second can be the difference between life and death and he called on road users to be extra patient at this time of year.
Neil made his appeal following a number of fatalities on Irish roads in recent weeks. Speaking to The Irish Mirror, he said: “We’re in the Christmas period, around this time people are busy and their minds are busy too, and just to take extra care on the road because a lot more people will be travelling.
READ MORE: Irish soldier in Lebanon runs Christmas Day marathon for fallen comrade Sean Rooney
“It’s very difficult at any time to lose somebody but at this time of year it’s pretty poignant. There’s been a lot of road deaths in the last couple of weeks. So, I’d just appeal to people to be a bit more careful on the roads.”
The 42-year-old has campaigned tirelessly for better safety for cyclists since his sister was killed by a truck at the corner of Seville Place and Sheriff Street Upper in Dublin while she was on the way to work on September 6, 2016.
Neil said his campaigning is not about punishing motorists and said his efforts are to spare another family the heartache he endured when Donna died.
He said: “You do feel cheated when somebody dies like that, it’s a very traumatic thing. It feels very futile that life can be ended over something so preventable so I suppose that does fuel me to try and spare others.
“I feel that by doing something to promote safety and try and encourage change, I think that’s a positive thing to do because the campaign isn’t really for Donna, it’s for the living, it’s for the people on the bikes today, it’s to save other people and to save other families from tragedy.”
He added: “My reason for backing legislation and things like this is to be a deterrent. It’s to change behaviours on the road. Because if people know that they’re going to get penalty points or a fine or worse, they’re less likely to do it.
“And the more people that are less likely to behave in a certain way, it changes the culture. So there’s more respect on the road. So it does lead to less injuries and, as a result, less death, obviously, as well.”
It comes as Neil also called for a specific unit in the Gardai to be established to deal with bike safety.
Last month, he met with Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman and Superintendent Sean O’Reardon and said progress about a cycling safety unit has been made.
Neil told us: “I found it very engaging and helpful, and have a firm impression that we have a progressive Assistant Commissioner who is willing to listen and act on things and has an approach that will see positive changes in the way cycling safety is treated in this country by An Garda Siochana.”
He also said that following the meeting, a Cycling Engagement Group was set up, which will consist of gardai and Assistant Commissioner Hilman, and they will be inviting representatives of cycling groups and campaigners to join.
Also discussed was the development of an online portal where cyclists can upload video footage of motorists overtaking dangerously but Neil said a 2024 introduction is too far away.
Since 2019, it has been an offence to overtake a cyclist dangerously by not allowing the minimum passing distance and Neil sees this as the “beginning of a new chapter” in relations between the Gardai and cyclists.
Neil said the narrative shouldn’t be cyclists versus motorists. He added: “A phrase I have is ‘give time, give space’. It’s a very basic thing for any driver even without the introduction of infrastructure or laws or anything else. Just giving a couple of seconds and just pulling out a little bit, just giving a little bit of space to go by somebody. It’s not rocket science, it saves lives and protects people.
“We all need to change our road behaviours but especially motorists because motorists are more likely to cause serious injuries and fatalities on the road. But at the same time we all need to look at our behaviours. I’m not one of those people who believe cyclists do nothing wrong.
“Most adults who cycle also have driving licenses so it shouldn’t be us versus them but there is a bit of that, unfortunately – especially in Dublin.”
And Neil said he feels during Taoiseach Micheal Martin’s tenure, road safety was “demoted”, adding: “Unfortunately, it’s come at a time that we’ve seen an increase in deaths on the roads, like in the last couple of weeks.
“But my issue is the Government should have a Cabinet minister over road safety if they are to take road safety seriously like they claim to.”
READ NEXT :
Social welfare: Four benefits to apply for in January if you've never qualified before
Jim Sheridan to make new documentary on murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier
Mum of toddler killed in car crash shares 'heartbreaking' photo of little girl's last Christmas
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
