Urgent Update: Cyclist Deaths Surge as Road Safety Falters in Ireland

BREAKING: A tragic incident in Cork city claimed the life of a cyclist in her twenties yesterday morning, marking the 13th cyclist death on Irish roads this year. While overall road fatalities in Ireland are decreasing, the alarming rise in deaths among cyclists and pedestrians is raising urgent concerns among safety advocates.

Data from An Garda Síochána reveals that 36 individuals—comprising 24 pedestrians and 12 cyclists—have lost their lives on the roads in 2025. This marks an increase of five fatalities in both categories compared to the same period last year. The first half of 2025 saw the highest number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths in six years, alarming families and advocates across the nation.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) stated that they are “particularly concerned” about this troubling trend. A spokesperson emphasized, “RSA research shows persistent levels of engagement in dangerous behaviours on our roads among a proportion of motorists,” including speeding, mobile phone use, and drink-driving.

The Dublin Commuter Coalition echoes these concerns, attributing the rise in fatalities to systemic issues such as inadequate infrastructure and insufficient state action. They advocate for a critical reduction of urban speed limits from 50 km/h to 30 km/h, stating that a pedestrian hit at 50 km/h has an 80% chance of death, while the survival rate jumps to 90% at 30 km/h.

Despite plans initiated by the previous government under the Traffic Road Act 2024 to lower urban speed limits, implementation has stalled as decisions are now left to local authorities. Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Sean Canney, noted that adjustments will be made through local bye-laws, which has led to frustration among advocates calling for immediate action.

In recent weeks, the fatalities have continued to rise. Alongside the Cork cyclist’s death, an 80-year-old pedestrian was killed by a bus in Galway on September 15, and two cyclists died on the same day in separate incidents in Co. Meath and Co. Carlow.

The RSA Mid-Year Report indicates that a quarter of road fatalities in the first half of 2025 occurred on urban roads with speed limits of 50 km/h or less. Advocates are set to present their urgent message in the Oireachtas on October 2, followed by a rally to push for swift action on road safety.

As the numbers climb, the heart-wrenching reality is that nearly four lives are lost each month on Irish roads due to cycling and walking incidents. The rising toll has sparked a demand for change, urging every road user to recognize the deadly potential of their vehicles.

The Department of Transport has yet to respond to requests for comment on these pressing safety issues. Advocates and families are calling for immediate, decisive measures to protect vulnerable road users before more lives are tragically lost.