Neil Fox @neilgerardfox-blog - Tumblr Blog

Germany Cycling News

News from Germany

"The Federal Cabinet has decided on several changes to make the lives of cyclists and pedestrians safer. The most important changes:

- In the future, a fixed minimum distance of 1.5 metres in urban areas and 2 metres out of town for overtaking cyclists will apply.

- On protective strips for cyclists (red markings) there is an absolute ban on stopping.

- Trucks over 3.5 tons may only turn right at walking speed.

- A green arrow is introduced for cyclists, which applies exclusively to them.

- The municipalities can set up bicycle zones.

At the same time, the relevant fines are drastically increased. For example, stopping on a protective strip for cyclists will cost 100 euros in future, and this also applies to stopping in the second row. The fines for parking on footpaths and cycle paths will also be drastically increased. This can also cost up to 100 euros in the future (instead of 15 euros). As a result, it will also be possible to get points in Flensburg for "simple" parking violations if the fine reaches the registration limit of 60 euros.

The government wants to adapt the catalogue of fines by spring."

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator

Dear Taoiseach

https://neilgerardfox.tumblr.com/post/188855628652/die-in

Dear Taoiseach,

Above is a few comments I felt compelled to make in relation to what I find deeply distressing and disturbing demonstrations. I know one is happening at Leinster House today.

To recap, my sister was Donna Fox. She was killed cycling to work in Dublin city on the first Tuesday of September 2016. Donna worked next door to Google in the small pharmacy Meaghers. Donna was 30 years old. She had enthusiastically campaigned for Fine Gael's marriage law, indeed been the first gay person I knew to get engaged after it was voted in.

If you knew Donna, you'd know she was the most unlikely person ever to campaign (unlike her wayward older brother😅). Donna was engaged to marry her partner Anne Marie they were due to go on holiday to Spain on the Sunday, I was to meet her in Grand Canal dock Wednesday. Wednesday never dawned for Donna, her funeral was the day before the holiday that never happened.

Why is my sister important? Why do I still three years on not only speak out regularly but get media coverage even still,...??? I'm never sure. I think it's because Donna was the "girl on the bike".

She was no activist, no agenda about her, Donna was simply a girl in the city going about her business. She was on the commute.

Donna went for a run earlier near her home in Naul area outside Balbriggan, she told me days earlier about some charity run she was doing. The papers called her a fitness fanatic, Donna was many things but a fanatic as far from her as possible, Donna was so balanced, like her Libran sign perhaps, the fit and healthy girl who could just as easily enjoy pizza. Donna had bought her new car days before, she waited til licence sorted before took it out, if only if only if only....the day before she had got the train. If only....if if if.... She drove from her home, stopping enroute when unexpectedly met Anne Marie who happened to be on road... She said goodbye to Anne Marie. She drove to Glassnevin area parking and taking the bike from the car and dinning her helmet.

In her small backpack, a gift from our sister Leanne, she had a simple packed lunch, a court told me it was salmon! A coroner no less. I'm pretty sure Karl, our family liason officer who shared my birthday oddly and became my best mate in that first lost year, told me Donna had hi vis on the bag....There was definitely her bottle of water in the bag like me she went nowhere without one, and her phone, the phone was destroyed from the smashed bottle spillage. The other items were a bundle of letters for me, from the old family house. She had texted me to say she was bringing them the day early incase she'd forget....Donna all over, thoughtful to the core.

Why am I telling you all this....

I want you as Taoiseach as head of government as the ultimate decision maker to think of your own sister Sonia... ( Hope I've name right)to think of your friend, your mam your neighbour, to not really think but get a feel .... This is a life, one of the 39 who were killed cycling since the formation of this government, as my statement above says no politician bears responsibility obviously, but you are in unique position Leo. Leo you can act.

As a former Minister for Transport, you know well the demands on funding etc, but let's be honest... Millions are annually pumped into one type of road user, we need to wake up. We MUST invest wildly, yes wildly, in Cycling right now. We must to save lives, to care for all our citizens equally on the roads. Donna was a qualified jockey and driver, a pedestrian and of course a Cyclist. I've no issues with drivers. I've an issue with our streets and roads not giving a fair duty of care to those cycling, especially seen as we keep promoting Cycling.

Taoiseach, I implore you to act. I'd be happy to meet you and talk in person, I really believe it's vital we see cycling as an urgent matter.

I'm as I said previously to you,hugely grateful to your colleagues Minister Regina Doherty, Ciaran Cannon and Mary O Connor Mitchell for behind the scenes kindness and encouragement these last three years. Your Minister for Transport Shane Ross I have got to know well and hold him in good esteem but he needs your backing, he needs your leadership on this, you must insist that the Department of Finance finally gives the money needed to spend on cycling. It's all about Infrastructure Infrastructure Infrastructure. For that we need funds, real funds not a side plate to the dinner plate. We need the full deal and we need it right away.

I've been so heartened by the new dangerous overtaking of a cyclist legislation and I know that's a huge change but we now need to focus on infrastructure. We must. I plead with you to do something. As I say I am happy to meet and discuss in person.

I'm fair minded and have worked with and met all sides in last three years, I don't believe in polorising antics, we all are brothers and sisters in the roads however we move about. That's the end of the matter, it's not an us and them.

This is the longest email I've ever sent anyone and yes probably the most chaotic too, but it's from my heart. It's a direct plea to you to give cycling infrastructure the attention it deserves.

Donna got on her bike and cycled on, she passed a primary school and came towards a junction opposite St Laurence O Toole Church, she was early for work as usual. It was broad daylight.

Then in an instant she was gone.

We can't save Donna and the young man from India who died in the last few days. But we can, with your government opening the purse, save other brothers from not been able to see their sister's body for days.... We owe that, and we can do all in our power to try and protect cyclists as best as possible.

Thank you so much for your kind letter in January by the way. It meant a lot. I look forward to hearing from you and from been of any help I can to you in changing minds within your government to radical investment in infrastructure.

Kindest regards, and thank you for wading through this !

Neil

"Die In"

This afternoon there is to be a second "die in" this one staged outside Leinster House. While two years ago I strongly spoke out against such action, I do see and understand the motivation behind such action, though personally I think the timing is wrong given the tragic deaths of two men in the last few days in Ireland.

I admire greatly the work that goes in to bringing people together to demonstrate the desperate need for radical action to protect cyclists.

Been from Dublin, and given that it was also this city where my sister died on a Tuesday morning in September 2016, like those taking part in today's "die in" I'm always particularly effected by fatalities in our city. The death of the young man Neeraj Jain in the last week has touched us all deeply. I can not imagine the pain and shock his family in India are going through, to be so far away in such circumstances is yet another nightmare on top of the horror of what's happened to them. Also very much on my mind today is the man in Co.Kilkenny who also passed away this week as result of another cycling collision. Both families are in my prayers.

I question why I get so repulsed by die in demonstrations, while not as traumatized as back when the Nov 2017 occurred, they still horrify me. But why?

Because it brings the reality in. That is a personal thing, and I guess it will always seems too personal too close too much for me...We never got to see Donna at the site that day. But thank God I now count Amanda as a great friend the driver who rushed to give her CPR seconds after she was knocked down and was with her in that last moment. Knowing people were there helped.

Die In's have a very clear purpose and the fact they horrify is the real reason for them, they bring the harsh reality across in a way nothing else quite can. As someone who had to wait days before I could see my sister, one might imagine I'd never need a reality check on the horror... But I do, and if I do, how much more others who have thankfully never been directly effected by the tragic brutal violent death of a loved one in a cycling collision.

I've recently been thrilled by the new dangerous overtaking of a cyclist regulation which Minister Ross will bring in next week, but of course the other key ingredient is Infrastructure Infrastructure Infrastructure, so I am in total solidarity with those protesting today in our shared vision for a safer Ireland, in particular a safe Dublin for cyclists.

We need at least 10% of Land Transport Budget to go directly to cycling annually! It's my view that we need more though to kick off the desperately needed overhaul to bring in appropriate Cycling infrastructure.

While no politician or stakeholder is responsible for road deaths nor should they be said to be, as it's down to individual behaviours on our roads, it is however their and our responsibility to make roads as safe as can be, to work diligently at improving attitudes towards cyclists and promoting good driver conduct.

I call on the Government as ever, to wake up, to do whatever possible to curb such carnage. Carnage....lives lost, lives destroyed... Real people. Not mere statistics. I plead with the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance to really open the Government's purse to begin the desperately overdue infrastructure that all stakeholders agree is vital to improving safety for cycling.

The Minister for Transport Shane Ross must put his foot down and insist that cycling stops been the most neglected area in transport.

All opposition parties too must mobilise and remember their responsibility to the people of Ireland, all of us, cyclists,motorists, pedestrians....

I really hope some good comes of today's demonstration. It is heartbreaking but perhaps a re enactment ,dramatic as it is, that is needed to bring our government to act. Really Act.

Open the purse Paschal!

Neil Fox,November 6th 2019. Dublin.

Cancellation

Unfortunately due to the unpredictable nature of Storm Lorenzo the Cycling Vulnerability event at Buswell's Hotel, Dublin is now cancelled with deep regret.

As it is a road safety meeting it would be inappropriate to encourage people to travel tomorrow given the weather forecast and especially the uncertainties involved.

It should be stated that the event got great support which is indicative of the will to address the needs of cyclists in Ireland.

The Minister for Transport and Sport, Shane Ross was due to attend and indeed speak at it, other ministers due to attend included Regina Doherty, Ciaran Cannon and Mary Mitchell O Connor, as well as T.D's and councillors from every political party.

Cycling safety as with all road safety issues calls for cross party collaboration.

#roadsafety

Personal Statement ahead of Velocity International Cycling Conference in Dublin just moments from where my sister Donna Fox was killed cycling to work.

Feel free to share or quote from.

..........

Velo City the incredible international cycling conference is been hosted in Dublin in the Convention Center. The centre is a couple of minutes from the spot my sister Donna Fox was killed instantly while cycling to work on September 6th 2016.

While I am very much in favour of the conference been here I think it whitewashes the refusal by government to act on its duty of care to cyclists. Since Donna's death I've campaigned for the introduction of a safe passing distance law when overtaking a cyclist as I truly believe my sister's chances of being alive today would be far greater had we had such a law.

I am in regular contact with The Minister for Transport Shane Ross, who at our last official meeting in late March told me that the hold up on introducing the "dangerous overtaking of a cyclist legislation" should have been sorted by end April. And still nothing. It defies logic given that RSA, IRVA, even some Ministers most especially Regina Doherty and Ciarán Cannon back the need for legislation ASAP.

Conferences and media events are wonderful and have their place, and I really welcome the new greenways announcement from Minister Ross. However, it does absolutely zilch to save lives on our roads. We need road safety laws not grandstanding and window dressing.

I've been reasonable and patient for close to 3 years now, but enough is enough, our government must act now. The proposal for minimum passing distance legislation by Regina Doherty, Ciarán Cannon and campaigner Phil Skelton had began before Donna was killed. Its law in many countries since 1973 so its not exactly rocket science.

I am aware of the legal reasons why Attorney General wouldn't sign off on the proposed Minimum Passing Distance legislation, while I think they are ridiculous I accept them, but with the newly proposed "dangerous overtaking of a cyclist legislation" this is very doable under our law and should have been fastracked as a matter of urgency. There is a steady increase of people cycling in our cities especially, its encouraged and rightly so by government, yet it is not matched by providing a basic duty of care to these vulnerable road users.

The focus on cycling helmets and hi vis (my sister had both, and was in cycle path, going at normal pace...) has been a lazy distraction from the real life saving and transport transforming measures needed, the law I'm pleading for to criminalise dangerous overtaking of a cyclist and ramp up campaign about it to increase awareness and safety. The other been infrastructure. The infrastructure has slowly began thankfully, the site Donna was killed at will never be the same again as work finally began on it, that's a really positive thing.

Recently the first ever study on cycling helmets safety when in collisions with motor vehicles was carried out by Volvo in Sweden. I think the average person would be appalled to hear it was the first such study, even aside from the results.

I know for myself I was haunted by the recollection of witnesses that Donna's cycling helmet was in smithereens across the road. She acted in good faith, like most of us thinking that they were properly tested etc. The Volvo study results found helmets were no protection in event of collision with a motor vehicle.

I'm an advocate for change in attitudes towards cyclists as well as for greater safety and infrastructure measures for those cycling. Aside from my own cycling campaign, I now am a Spokesperson and board member of Irish Road Victims Association and just got back from Victims Support Europe conference in European Parliament Strasbourg last week representing road victims needs and interests.

Ireland won an award in Brussels in the last week for our road safety initiatives which have seen a reduction in overall road deaths, my view is this needs to be a spur on to do more, not merely a cause of celebration. I do think it's a fantastic achievement. But the needs of cyclists basic safety is so blanked its hard for me to see beyond this. Strasbourg City itself inspired me, its incredibly cycling and pedestrian friendly infrastructure is as achievable here. We need the vision and the guts to make real changes.

Donna was 30 when she died that Tuesday morning as she cycled towards the convention centre where this huge event is on. She never got there. She never got to her job in Meaghers pharmacy on Barrow Street next door to Google.

Life has altered beyond description since two Gardaí told me Donna was in the City mortuary. A sentence that changes you forever. Her loving kind nature blessed all our lives who knew her, her hard working conscientious attitude and sporting spirit made her amazing person to be around. My one consolation while poignant obviously, is that she died at a time in her life when she was so happy and at peace.

As ever I must point out I have no anger towards the driver but that doesn't mean I should just shut up and go away, no, it's about preventing deaths and injuries, sparing others. That man and his family were nothing but gracious to me when I met them. A change in law, proper infrastructure and more balanced public opinion is what I see as Donna's legacy. I won't give up.

Neil.

#VC19

neilgerardfox-blog

Cycling Inquest, my sister Donna.

Donna’s Inquest was held in March 2018 in Dublin city’s Coroner’s Court. I’m often quoted as saying that it brought me some healing,it did.

The healing however had nothing to do with with the jury’s verdict or the words spoken by the various witnesses - but the healing was in finally seeing the other person directly involved in the crash that killed my sister Donna Fox, the driver himself. Also, with the exception of Amanda Burnby, the lady who had desperately tried to save Donna with CPR at the scene, it was my first time coming face to face with others who had been at the scene that awful morning. The motorcyclist Paul who had screamed to the driver to stop before he hit Donna - where that man’s head must go at times I can’t imagine.

So the healing was more in what happened becoming a bit less of a mere story, abstract, with an “out there” “surreal” and “unreal” air to it. True healing only commences when we can see the reality as one’s own - hard as it might be

No healing came from the “death by misadventure” verdict of the jury in the Coroner’s Court which was based on zero evidence put forward at the Inquest.

The truth will always be that Donna died from multiple traumatic injuries sustained when she was hit by a lorry in the cycle path, wearing her cycling helmet. However, death by misadventure is what’s recorded based on the opinion that cycling is in itself misadventure. This is the only thing that can be deduced from such a crazy verdict.

I am unsure whether it was extreme denial, exhaustion, an effort at damage limitation or the incorrect briefing I got moments before I spoke to the press outside the Court last year. Instead of saying I was outraged, which would have been the appropriate response,I said I was pleased that the best possible verdict had been given. This was nonsense.

I put the spin on it that the vile slur “death by misadventure” was in reference to the driver not the deceased, my beloved sister. What I did say which was right was that it had been shown in the court that Donna had had no part to play in causing her own death. It’s just a shame that the jury didn’t reflect on this as they opted to pass unfair judgement on my sister.

Innocence is bliss but it doesn’t change things. It is a selfish state. So while it would be “nice” for me to continue to pretend that the Inquest verdict related to the driver and not Donna, it’d be unhelpful in the ongoing battle to bring the terrible attitude to cyclists out in the open and to shed some light on the Inquest system concerning road deaths and how very often it’s pitted against the deceased.

It’s my absolute belief that cycling in itself equalled misadventure in the minds of that jury. This is devastating as a jury tends to represent the views of the average person. It shows the increased awareness campaigning by people like myself, IRVA, RSA, Stayin'Alive and others of the need for a national conversation on cycling as well as our desperate need for changes, is needed, greatly needed. I welcome RTE’s teaming up with the RSA right now with the television series on cycling.

Donna was killed cycling to work. Like most adults who cycle she also was a motorist, indeed a jockey too! Donna drove from her home in the Naul in her new car that fateful morning, Tuesday September 6th 2016. She parked her car in Whitehall area of Dublin and got on her bike, donning her helmet and with her hi vis on her bag. It was broad daylight. For the record her phone was in her bag and she had no earphones in. She was cycling from Dublin’s north inner city to her destination Barrow Street across the Liffey to Meaghers pharmacy next to Google. Donna loved working in the pharmacy. It was cycle lanes nearly all the way on her route. A cautious and experienced cyclist she had made sure her route was as safe as possible. She travelled at a normal speed as evidenced by the CCTV etc Donna made it to the junction at Seville Place/ Guild Street, only a few minutes cycle to her job. She was due in for 11:30 as ever she was going to be early.

But something happened that prevented her getting there. Something happened that stole her life. A piece of paper, a public record, based on no evidence, points the finger of blame at her. “Death by misadventure”. I have no anger towards the driver, it’s not about trying to demonize him in any way, I think he and his family know that. I hope so. But I owe it not only to Donna but to those who cycle today in our streets to not go quietly. Something has to change. To be honest that jury appall me on sober reflection. But it’s my fear that they represent a crazy mindset which sees cyclists at fault for having the audacity to cycle. That awful phrase I hear far too often “ They’re taking their lives in their hands” by merely getting on their bikes.

Accidental death should have been the verdict based on the remit of a Coroner’s Court, as in it’s not a criminal court. Death by misadventure implies misadventure on the part of the deceased. Misadventure implies some level of risk taking. What risk did Donna take considering she was killed outright in cycle path, with her helmet on etc… There is only one answer. She was cycling. That’s what so many, and that jury especially, choose to see as taking a risk. This is truly shocking.

neilgerardfox-blog

#allocate4cycling

neilgerardfox-blog

We Must Act Now. M50 Videos.

Unfortunately Jackie’s death was disrespected in the worse possible manner in my view. Fellow human beings felt it was okay to photograph and video the crash scene and show complete inhumane instincts in publishing pictures of the deceased lady.

(Photo is of my sister Donna Fox, the picture not deemed sensational enough for a Remembrance event two months after her death in cycling road collision 2016.)

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Jackie Griffin who was tragically killed in a road collision on Dublin’s M50 last month. They are very much in my thoughts and prayers are with you this time. I think I speak on behalf of all of us bereaved through road collisions in saying we are in solidarity with Jackie’s loved ones.

It’s my view that we must act now on this, on ensuring that such vile actions are made a crime. Blaming social media giants takes away from the personal responsibility involved. While, there definitely is an onus on these organizations to act as best they can, the reality is people chose to do this. They took the time to post and send and send and send again such graphic images. This is wrong obviously morally but it’s my stance that legislation needs to be implemented Europe wide on this, to criminalize such repugnant behaviour.

Unless serious consequences are put in place at the nearest convenience, we are facing a psunami of such behaviour and with that a terrible normalizing of this desensitizing conduct. I believe that all who share such images should be prosecuted, and that a jail sentence should be in place for those who video or photograph and publish such images. As a society we must question how we have got to this point, yes, but more practically we must get legislation in place to deal with it and to stop others doing what was done to Jackie Griffin.

My sister was killed in a road collision in September 2016, Donna was cycling to work when a lorry hit her, killing her instantly. People rushed to my sister, tried to help in every way they could. This is the humanity we honour and in truth expect. It horrifies me, that people at the scene on the M50, chose to denigrate the humanity of someone by filming them instead of attempting to help in some way.

It angers me to think people who received these images chose to send them on to others. What sort of person does this? We can not blame social media for this. This happened by human agency. This was conscious action.

There has rightly been national outrage over this. But still we must soberly reflect on fact hundreds of people also shared these unforgivable images. Reflect and act! I believe it’s more than a national issue, it is global and needs facing up to,we can’t ignore this.

I have spoke on radio shows in the Republic and also Northern Ireland in the last week on this and on RTE Claire Byrne Live Show. I felt compelled to speak out. This can not be seeing as acceptable or a new norm. It is wrong in every way.

Eight weeks after Donna my sister was killed, I was invited to a packed event at which two large screens showed photographs of my sister’s crash site. The photo was taken while Donna’s body was still there, albeit covered by a tent. The distress that caused me was incredible. I don’t think I have ever felt anger like it before. There was zero regard for my feelings and my sister’s humanity. It horrified me at the time. The fact the organizers thought this was acceptable behaviour appalled me. I made an official complaint. At no stage had I been told to expect such images beamed. I had given a normal photo of my beautiful sister as requested but clearly it was not deemed sensational enough. The person responsible and others made out that it was an irrational reaction of grief that I found this behaviour unacceptable. Thankfully those over them apologized unreservedly.

When Donna died within an hour people were giving out about cyclists and delays her death was causing online. Is this social media organizations fault?

Absolutely not

Personal responsibility. Lately huge criticism has been laid at campaigners for road safety, Deputy Mattie Mc Grath’s personalized attack on Mr Clancy was a new low. All we are trying to do is prevent others going through what we have. We want to save lives not demonize anyone. Our work is much needed as last month proved in such a cruel way. We must show the humanity. These people who are killed are not statistics, they are our loved ones. They could be your sister,daughter, boyfriend, friend, colleague , neighbour.

I call on our Government but not only here but Europe wide to act now. We must not allow for another incident like last month. We are accountable, let us not be found lacking.

I did not know Jackie Griffin. But I hope Jackie’s memory will be honored in making new laws to prevent this happening again.

I beg people to contact their local TDs on this issue, don’t shy away from it, we must seek action.

We Must Act Now. M50 Videos.

(Photo is of my sister Donna Fox, the picture not deemed sensational enough for a Remembrance event two months after her death in cycling road collision 2016.)

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Jackie Griffin who was tragically killed in a road collision on Dublin's M50 last month. They are very much in my thoughts and prayers at this time. I think I speak on behalf of all of us bereaved through road collisions in saying we are in solidarity with Jackie's loved ones. The Irish Road Victims Association are a great contact for anyone affected.

It's my view that we must act now on this, on ensuring that such vile actions are made a crime. Blaming social media giants takes away from the personal responsibility involved. While, there definitely is an onus on these organizations to act as best they can, the reality is people chose to do this. They took the time to post and send and send and send again such graphic images. This is wrong obviously morally but it's my stance that legislation needs to be implemented Europe wide on this, to criminalize such repugnant behaviour.

Unfortunately Jackie's death was disrespected in the worse possible manner in my view. Fellow human beings felt it was okay to photograph and video the crash scene and show complete inhumane instincts in publishing pictures of the deceased lady.

There has rightly been national outrage over this. But still we must soberly reflect on fact hundreds of people also shared these unforgivable images. Reflect and act! I believe it's more than a national issue, it is global and needs facing up to,we can't ignore this.

Eight weeks after Donna my sister was killed, I was invited to a packed event at which two large screens showed photographs of my sister's crash site. The photo was taken while Donna's body was still there, albeit covered by a tent. The distress that caused me was incredible. I don't think I have ever felt anger like it before. There was zero regard for my feelings and my sister's humanity. It horrified me at the time. The fact the organizers thought this was acceptable behaviour appalled me. I made an official complaint. At no stage had I been told to expect such images beamed. I had given a normal photo of my beautiful sister as requested but clearly it was not deemed sensational enough. The person responsible and others made out that it was an irrational reaction of grief that I found this behaviour unacceptable. Thankfully those over them apologized unreservedly.

When Donna died within an hour people were giving out about cyclists and delays her death was causing online. Is this social media organizations fault?

Absolutely not

Personal responsibility. Lately huge criticism has been laid at campaigners for road safety, Deputy Mattie Mc Grath's personalized attack on Mr Clancy was a new low. All we are trying to do is prevent others going through what we have. We want to save lives not demonize anyone. Our work is much needed as last month proved in such a cruel way. We must show the humanity. These people who are killed are not statistics, they are our loved ones. They could be your sister,daughter, boyfriend, friend, colleague , neighbour.

I call on our Government but not only here but Europe wide to act now. We must not allow for another incident like last month. We are accountable, let us not be found lacking.

I did not know Jackie Griffin. But I hope Jackie's memory will be honored in making new laws to prevent this happening again.

I beg people to contact their local TDs on this issue, don't shy away from it, we must seek action.

Response to Shane Ross MPDL Abandonment.

I'm deeply disappointed by the announcement by Minister Ross that Minimum Passing Distance legislation has been abandoned after all this time. It took almost a year for this announcement after the bustle of publicity in February upon Ross's prior announcement that he was bringing it in - within weeks!

Personally I find it mind boggling that our constitution and archaic laws take such precedence over saving lives on our roads. My sister Donna would be alive today had this law been in place and had the motorist obeyed it - that awful day in September 2016 when Donna was stolen from us.

This very law has proved enforceable in several countries and many states in USA since 1973! One has to question why on earth is Ireland so unique, and ask what do we need to change in our constitution etc to make preventing deaths on our roads take priority over red tape.

The Road Safety Authority advert on safe passing distance when overtaking a cyclist is something which has being a really positive message to motorists to be vigilant. I urge the RSA to increase efforts in light of this development, to target motorists after all it's motorists who have the upper hand on our roads.

The last debate in the Dail in 2018 was on the motion brought by Fianna Fail's Robert Troy T.D. The motion was Cycling! I attended it and the public gallery was full such is the concerns about cycling safety and the cry for increased funding which I'm passionate about.

There's huge support for Minimum Passing Distance legislation on all the opposition benches as evidenced by the debate in December. Even among Fine Gael there's support most vocally from Minister's Regina Doherty and Ciaran Cannon. We need to make cycling the priority in transport, not the after thought. Cycling didn't kill my sister a lorry did. Discouraging cycling is not the answer but this announcement is definitely discouraging cycling! Large investment now would prove worthwhile in the long term.

10% of our Land Transport Budget must be allocated for cycling to prevent a psunami of serious injuries and fatalities of cyclists, given the constant increases in numbers biking in our cities especially. They are owed a genuine duty of care. It's a no brainer that we must invest properly. The 400,000 for just Dublin is a drop in the ocean. Where Donna was killed that junction is still in dire need of improvement twenty four months on.

Donna was on her way to work when a lorry ploughed into her. There's not a moment that I don't think of her. It's changed my life forever. A preventable death is hard to deal with, it leaves so many "if only's". I find campaigning for safer conditions on our roads the best way to channel the grief.

As ever I must say that I imagine the driver has been also traumatized by what happened and obviously never intended it. However this doesn't negate from the importance of speaking out. We ought to remember that motorists as well as cyclists would benefit from proper cycling infrastructure and from Minimum Passing Distance legislation.

This is for Donna and all lost on our roads and those bereaved in this way.

Eight hundred and three days have come and gone, Since two gardai told me you wouldn't be coming home. In the chamber of shock that kept me buffered from the violent reality of what happened to you Donna, I somehow walked on, held it together. Until of course I didn't.

Two whole years have passed. Before that, gardai we're just gardai, bikes were just bikes, standing at pedestrian lights was just standing at the lights. Not now though.

What I wouldn't do to have one more moment with you Donna. To hear your voice and lose myself in that smile that housed such joy and warmth, to be wrapped in your arms one more time.

I can hear you say that life isn't for wishing away. It's here and now! The rock of sense that you were, you'd want us to go on; to remember the joy of the dance of life we shared which will forever linger in our hearts, to use it's strength to do all that can be done to save others. To protect more from the pain that unites all of us today. Pain so deep. Love so great. We are not alone.

I wonder where you've gone Donna. You're in every wise move I somehow make, in the lyrics of a beautiful song, you're here among us today helping us be strong in the awful treacle of grief, giving us the will to carry on.

You're in every tender moment that lights the darkness, in the kind word of a stranger. You're with me in the laughter and banter of friends who make this journey with us, with every "Grover" I see, with every wooly hat. But I wish Donna you were simply here with me.

Aras 18

I have listened in to the radio debates and some of the interviews in the Presidential Race, but last night was the first full television debate I watched. I felt Pat Kenny hosted in very well and all candidates came across at their individual bests. This was both good and bad. Their bests reveal what they are likely to be like as our First Citizen.

Joan Freeman started up Pieta House and Darkness into Light, for the first time that did not dominate her contribution in the debate, which she appears annoyed about but which actually did her a favour. She came into her own, showing a steely side we had not really glimpsed before. However, her immature reaction to solidarity from Gavin Duffy illuminated a rather petty side, and looked to me like she was trying to give off an unconvincing alpha side.

Gavin Duffy had impressed me in the first RTE radio one debate, but last night he came across as too chilled out to be really in the race. I'm not sure why he wants to be President.

Liada Ni Riada resplendent in yellow stood out most last night. She is an excellent debater but unfortunately Liada refused to say IRA bombs we're acts of terror. In her defence she did condemn them though. She showed her strength though in that weakest part of her night by putting a question to Pat Kenny who was clearly taken aback by it. Sinn Fein certainly has strong women in it's number.

Sean Gallagher is an enigma, a mystery. He may even be nicknamed the Quiet Man in this presidential campaign as he seems to say little. What he does say is delivered in very measured way, one might say this is good for a would be President, but it doesn't make an impact. He comes across as a nice man but they rarely win. He has lost his mojo I believe.

Peter Casey. What can be said there? "You say it best when you say nothing at all."

Last but by no means least the President himself, Michael D Higgins. He gave a very energetic performance, and stood out not least for being the only male contender to show some personality in his choice of outfit. While at times being a tad too defensive he was the best on the night. He showed grace under fire and is proof positive that wisdom does come with age. He is the most intouch with the man on the street of all the candidates which seems strange given the fact he lives in the Aras. But that's what came across. He knows the people. Michael D only faux pas in seven years was his ill thought out comments on the death of Castro, one bump in seven years is not bad. The financial stuff is not his doing, it's part and parcel of the office of president decided upon by the Constitution and Government of the day. He played a blinder and will get my number one vote.

#Allocate4Cycling 2018

As we inch towards the Budget, one persistent call can't be allowed to fall on deaf ears any longer. That call is for increased funding for cycling infrastructure. Last year while the Road Safety Authority noted it was the lowest amount of road deaths since records began, what failed to get the same prominent coverage was within the same annual report cycling fatalities were at the highest number in a decade. 15 pedal cyclists failed to make it home to their loved ones, up from 10 the previous year. The public may be shocked to know that funding for cycling decreased last year despite this.

As somebody who fell into being a Cycling Campaigner and road safety advocate two years ago now, I find it shockingly slow the process of moving from having the Minister's ear to having a portion of his department's purse. It is my genuine hope that this process will be fast tracked and that cycling will one day soon be synonymous with health and fitness and a great example of sustainable transport, rather than been linked in the publics consciousness with fatalities like my own sister's in September 2016. I look forward to the day that we can encourage our children to cycle to school without any fears for their mortality.

Recently the debate on cycling has begun to shift in the right direction in my opinion. It's gradually come away from the helmets and hi-vis only focus (my sister had both just for the record) to the more pertinent issue, investment!

Investment is the one thing that we can do. It is time we demanded that the government took this to heart and raided the back pocket to begin this long sighted process out of the doldrums of scant action to date.

The first step is often the hardest to take, perhaps it always is. So what is that first step? It is my view that it is allocating for cycling in a real sense. The implementation of the United Nations recommendation of 20% of Transport Budget to go to walking and cycling is key. That's the starting line to the radical change cycling deserves.

Two weeks after my sister Donna's funeral I said a few words at a rally beside Leinster House. The same message was echoed two years on by myself and others in a hotel just across the road from there. We are all on the same page on this. From all political persuasions and those with no such affiliations we are united in our mission to allocate for cycling.

What we want and what cycling deserves and desperately needs is financial investment that can be pinned down into real workable measures. In line with the United Nation's recommendation we are demanding that the Minister of Transport and that department allocates 10% of Ireland's Land Transport Budget to cycling. At the moment it languishes at approximately 2%.

Donna my sister is the reason I got involved in cycling advocacy, but it is the men, women and children alive today that are biking to school,work or recreationally that keep me on board. Let us do justice to Donna's memory by saving others similar fate on our roads and equally doing what we can to reduce not only fatalities but also serious and life changing injuries.

Cycling Budget Reform

#Allocate4Cycling

Just two weeks after my sister Donna was killed on our roads, ProjectEDWARD was launched. Today with the support of just short of thirty countries it is in it's third year. The acronym translates European Day Without A Road Death, and what a momentous day that would and could be if we tackled road safety head on.

I am calling on the Department of Transport and all bodies involved in road safety to use today to reflect honestly about what needs to be done in relation to the massively growing form of transportation that is cycling. So many of us are ditching the car for the humble bike. While I could wax lyrical about the numerous benefits of cycling such as health wise, economically and environmentally; today is about saving lives on the roads we all use.

We must tackle the crisis that is cycling safety in Ireland now rather than waiting. There is support coming from all quarters and even from Ministers of government. However, we are at this impasse still, with regards implementation of safe passing distance legislation when overtaking a person biking and the desperately needed increase in funding for real cycling infrastructure that is thought out and not just lines of paint or plastic bollards erected to paper of the harsh reality.

I listened in dismay as a Fingal Councilor claimed on RTE's Primetime on Donna's second anniversary that cycling was already been well catered for and was safe in Dublin city area. This flies in the face of the countless injuries endured and abuse that cyclists experience on a daily basis.

The laissez faire attitude towards cycling is bizarre in my opinion. The same day I marked Donna's anniversary by being a guest on Newstalk's Lunchtime Live. During the conversation Ciara Kelly the host made a simple common sense observation in response to the critics of cyclists. Ciara stated that cyclists don't cause deaths of motorists. It was plain speak of the oft ignored reality.

The time is now for a radical overhaul in the attitudes towards cycling, stop the victim blame mentality - yes absolutely. That is not enough though. The time is now for progressive change. We must do something meaningful. I have been calling for an increase to 10% of the transport budget to go directly for cycling infrastructure for two years now. This is in line with the recommendations of the United Nations who advocate for 20% to be allocated when you group walking and cycling.

In Ireland meaningful funding that has the genuine potential to save lives is at a paltry 2 to 3%. In an afront to the many injured and most especially the 23 who were killed cycling on our roads since my beautiful sister Donna died in September 2016, Ireland DECREASED it's budget for cycling in 2017. Note should be given to the fact 2017 more cycling fatalities than we had in a decade!

Cross party support is growing towards this increase and the some form of workable safe passing distance legislation too. Independents too have been supportive. All this is great but why do we find nothing happening?

The time is now. We must provide the duty of care owed all vulnerable road users. I believe that we will. Join me in calling on Minister Shane Ross and the department of transport to increase the funding to at least 10%. Cycling needs to be prioritised until we have the best system in place.

Tomorrow the cycling community lead by Cyclist.ie will launch the campaign for the 10% aforementioned at 11:15am in Buswells Hotel beside Leinster House.

With my former school pal Eleanor who is behind my decision to start blogging a bit here.

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Neil Fox