Cycling Ireland Members Insights Series: Close Pass Hotspots Across Ireland
In the latest edition of our members insights blog series, we are examining close pass hotspots across the island of Ireland, with a focus placed on close pass incidents in rural areas.
These insights have been provided by See.Sense, our Official Bicycle Lights and Data Insights Supplier. See.Sense will be continuing to provide member insight blogs throughout 2022, using reports made by cyclists using the free See.Sense app.
From the map below, you can see a selection of close pass hotspots. The heaviest concentration of close pass reports are in Belfast and Dublin. For a detailed breakdown of close passes in these cities, make sure to read See.Sense Report - Analysis for Dublin, and See.Sense Report - Analysis for Belfast.
However, for this blog we’re examining close pass incidents logged outside of these urban hubs, and placing a focus on the often overlooked infrastructure of rural areas and small towns. These roads can be narrow, twisting, with blind bends and high speed limits - leading to an environment where close passes can frequently occur.
As you can see from the map below, we have examined 13 different incident reports across the island. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look (no pun intended!)
#1 Barrack Road, Glencullen, Co. Dublin
Our first close pass report is on a narrow, twisting, hilly section of the Barrack Road, which runs south of Glencullen. The reporter commented “Silly to close pass here but cars do it anyway! Sigh.”
#2 Glencree Road (L1011), Kilmolin, Co. Wicklow
Sticking with hilly environments, on a section of the Glencree Road (L1011), north-west of the Powerscourt Estate, a rider has reported that “This is a blind and narrow brow of the hill, continuous bend, white line, and still cars seem to zoom past you without care. This bend is close to home and I would like to arrive safely.”
#3 Wexford Bridge (R741), Wexford, Co. Wexford
A report was received on the R741 road, along Wexford Bridge. The rider reported “A driver made absolutely no attempt to move out to overtake me on the bridge - it felt very close. My front and rear facing cameras confirmed my suspicions afterwards.”
#4 R612, Carrigaline, Co. Cork
Moving south-west to Cork now, a cyclist left a close pass report marked at this location along the R612 that runs out of Carrigaline, along the south bank of the Owenabue River. Again, the road is marked with parallel white lines, yet it appears that some drivers are willing to take the chance of overtaking on a blind bend.
#5 R589, Crossbarry, Co. Cork
Staying in Cork, on this part of the R589, just west of Crossbarry village, a cyclist logged a report of how a “Car and trailer attempted to pass. A car coming in the opposite direction caused the car to veer too close to me while overtaking.”
#6 Clon Road, Ennis, Co. Clare
Moving now onto the west coast leg of our close-pass tour of Ireland, we visit Ennis in county Clare. On the Clon Road, a rider reports of an incident where a “Taxi driver passed very close against oncoming traffic.”
#7 N63, Coolourty, Co. Galway
Making our way through Co. Galway, on the N63, just west of Moylough village, a report was lodged saying “Cars passing me on blind bends at high speed.”
#8 Clifden Road, Moycullen, Co. Galway
On the Clifden road, running north-west out of Moycullen village, a couple of close pass reports were made, with a comment noting a “Close pass by bus.”
#9 R330, Westport, Co. Mayo
Moving further up the west coast to Co. Mayo, a close pass was reported on the R330, south-east of Westport. The cyclist stated that “A car was overtaking us and met another oncoming car. I’m surprised there was not a crash.”
#10 Lower Bridge (N59), Ballina, Co. Mayo
#11 R441, Rhode, Edenderry Road, Co. Offaly
Now making a big jump south-east to Co. Offaly, we can see that a couple of close-pass reports have been made on the R441, just east of Rhode village. One report details how a “Car overtakes me (from rear) on an uphill (Fahy Hill) at over 80kph and within 4 to 6 inches (close pass). The overtaking car kept within solid white line making no attempt to leave room for cyclist. The overtake occurred on a blind summit.”
#12 R401, Co. Kildare
In neighbouring Co. Kildare, on the R401, north of Edenderry, and just south of Carrickoris Castle, a cyclist reports of a “Very close pass at high speed on junction with potential for vehicle coming out of junction whilst overtake.”
#13 Moorfields Road, Ballymena, Co. Antrim
