Vilifying cyclists is not helpful and those with the power to influence should be more careful about the damage it could do.
A 2022 report issued by the Department of Infrastructure showed 525 cyclists were killed or seriously injured on our roads over the 10 years from 2011-2020.
That’s an average of 52.5 people a year who were hurt or died after getting on their bikes to make a journey. And painting a target on the backs of other pedal bike users is irresponsible, to say the least.
Read more: The Earth's Corr: We need a citizens' assembly on what DfI is doing in Belfast
People ride bikes to get around for a range of reasons. Maybe they can’t afford a car, want to improve their health or worry about air pollution and the impact of diesel and petrol emissions on the climate crisis.
And the lack of safe and segregated cycle lanes across our cities and towns leave them no other choice than to don their hard hats and put their lives in the hands of other road users, who could take them out with one wrong turn. It’s either that or mount the kerb, which is not technically allowed.
I understand it can be frustrating when someone on a bike slows you down in your car, but it’s a rather selfish view of the world, as motorists don’t own the roads.
While repeated, and often uncorrected statements like ‘cyclists shouldn’t be on the road as they don’t pay road tax’, people need to realise that road tax doesn’t actually pay for our roads. It goes into a central fund that pays for all manner of public projects.
I am also sure there are many cyclists out there, like me, who pay road tax and ride a bicycle. But let’s put that aside for a moment.
Do drivers actually think for a minute, that those on bikes want to share the roads with 4x4s, buses, lorries, and sometimes lunatic drivers. It’s not safe - and every time you head out on your bike - you feel it.
Sharing roads with motor vehicles is scary and I’m an adult, so it’s no wonder 14-year-old Belfast schoolboy Finn Bryan feels that way too. But there is a way to keep everyone happy - build cycle lanes which I am sure the ever growing number of bike riders would be only too happy with.
It’s great that we have a 10-year plan, but those are just words on a page.
And I really welcome the new active travel hub at Ulster University and secure bike parking in CastleCourt. But this is just tinkering around the edges.
If we truly want to keep cyclists safe and out of the way of motorists, we need segregated cycle lanes and we need them now.
It’s all well and good the PHA is extolling the virtues of active travel to “improve sleep, help maintain a healthy weight and reduce stress... reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions including heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and respiratory conditions”
And John O’Dowd’s commitment to “increasing opportunities for active travel to help address the climate emergency and promote greener travel”.
It is vital to reducing congestion, reducing air pollution, and helping us meet our climate targets. But only if those up on the hill deliver what’s really needed - and that’s an active travel network that gives walkers, wheelers, and cyclists safe and convenient routes around our city.
I’d love to see those giving out about cyclists in Belfast and beyond, get on their bikes for a week so they can really see and feel just what it’s like. It might help them view things a little differently when making throwaway comments about cyclists that could cause real harm.
Active travel hubs
Belfast now has active travel hubs at Cathedral Gardens, CS Lewis Square on Newtownards Road, Whiterock Road in West Belfast and at Queen’s while in Derry there is one at the North West Transport Hub.
Cyclists and those keen to walk to walk or wheel more can get all sorts of information at these hubs, from on-road cycle training, to information on routes and at some you can rent or buy bikes and even get repairs done.
Castle Court shopping centre also has the city’s first public secure bike parking facility.
The Bike Yard can house 24 bikes and offers all-day on site security.
It opens 7am-7pm Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday; 7am-10pm on Thursday and 12-7pm on Sunday.
Cllr Brian Smyth told me: “There’s a real commitment here from the council and we now need DfI to step up and start having proper segregated [cycle] routes in and out of the city centre.”
Hats of the community groups going all out for those in need
Community is everything and there are some communities across Belfast and beyond doing great things for the environment, while helping each other.
Uniform appeals, warm coat appeals and even trainer appeals don’t just provide for those in need - they often give those things a second life with someone who needs them.
This week I have seen a few such appeals on social media and the reaction made my heart soar.
One man offered up a bike to help a Ukrainian man get to work from the east of the city, while Belfast Homeless Services is gathering old trainers.
Despite all the doom and gloom out there, there are many more people doing their best for others - and incidentally for our planet.
Do you really need a new coat?
Big coat time is well and truly here. But before running to the shops to buy a new one, have a good think about whether you really need it.
And if you do, get rummaging around in the charity shops, have a swap shop with friends or get on Vinted and give a preloved coat a new home. You’ll be helping your pocket and the planet.
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