Should all cyclists have to wear high vis to improve road safety?

It is mandatory for cyclists to have lights on their bike when cycling in the dark but Irish Mirror columnist Joe O’Shea thinks further rules should be considered.

He lives close to Cork City centre and is shocked by how hard it is to see cyclists and e-scooter users at times.

“I was driving home and there were just kids on electric scooters coming from all angles,” he told The Hard Shoulder.

“What struck me was a lot of the teens on these scooters were dressed like stealth ninjas.

“They were wearing black tracksuits, black baseball caps.

“There might be a small little light by the bottom of the wheel [and] they’re impossible to see and they’re coming at you from every angle.”

Electric bicycles.

Mr O’Shea said this is not only “very dangerous” for cyclists but for drivers as well.

“It’s almost impossible to see people,” he said.

“Why would a parent let a child go out on an e-scooter dressed from head to toe in black with not a single light on them?”

“I just can’t understand it.”

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Dublin Cycling Campaign chairperson Una Morrison said e-scooters in particular are a “challenge” due to the lack of regulation.

She also noted people have a “responsibility” to make sure they are seen whenever they are on the roads.

Despite this, she said proper cycling infrastructure would be the most effective way to improve road safety for cyclists and e-scooter users.

“Bear in mind, when you’re looking at a hierarchy of hazard control… what is the most important thing to do?” she said.

“High vis is the cheapest but least effective control.

“Separating cars and e-scooters and cyclists [with purpose built cycle lanes] has much more success than forcing people to wear a high vis.”

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Main image: A father and son push their bikes along a scenic country lane. Image: Ian Lamond / Alamy Stock Photo