The Peleton in Dublin

The Peleton in Dublin

There will be great talk in the media this summer about the Tour De France starting in Ireland. Much of the excitement will centre on the unique opportunity to broadcast our green fields to millions of potential tourists; the racing community will see the event as a springboard for rejuvenating Irish cycle racing; the cycling campaign will view this event as a celebration of the bicycle, but also a golden opportunity to highlight the slow action in improving the lot of city cyclists.

The world’s top racing cyclists will have it easy when they tear around Dublin’s empty streets in July. Contrast this with the ordinary commuters’ far more demanding daily race against being run over on O’Connell Street, College Green and Stephen’s Green. The yellow jersey goes to whoever avoids being wedged between the curb and the truck turning left, and arrives home unscathed; the green jersey is awarded to the cyclist who can sprint in time to the rapidly changing lights; the polka dot jersey will be worn by the cyclist who can climb past the juggernaut and avoid asphyxiation.

This summer, let’s use this high-profile event to focus attention on the ordinary cyclist who wants a better deal. Why not come along to our next meetings and make suggestions as to how we can tie in our own campaign with this summer’s cycling extravaganza.