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FOR YEARS, CADBURY has asked its customers how they like to eat their Creme Eggs. But have you ever wondered how the gooey fondant got inside the shell in the first place?
Turns out, the white-and-yellow filling isn’t injected into the chocolate egg, as you might have imagined.
The fondant is, in fact, placed inside two halves of the egg, which are sandwiched together to make a whole, according to a spokesperson from Cadbury.
First, the chocolate shell of the egg is made, a spokesperson for Cadbury told Business Insider.
“The goo in our Cadbury Creme Egg is then injected into each mould, before the two halves are put together,” the spokesperson said.
The egg halves are sealed together with a book mould, a device that lifts and presses trays of the Easter treats together, according to another Cadbury representative cited by Bloomberg.
The process looks like this:
“As the chocolate hasn’t hardened completely they fuse together and cool as a whole,” the Cadbury spokesperson explained. Then the eggs are swiftly wrapped in foil and packaged into cartons.
Mondelez, which bought Cadbury in 2010, makes Creme Eggs at a factory in the village of Bournville near Birmingham. The factory can produce up to 1,100 Creme Eggs per minute. In other words, a lot of chocolate.
More than 300 million Creme Eggs are made every year but they’re only sold from January until Easter, which might explain the seasonal hype surrounding the chocolates.
Cadbury has been making Creme Eggs since 1971 — this will be its 45th Easter on the market — and has been offering other varieties of cream-filled chocolates since 1923.
Watch a batch of Creme Eggs being made in the video from Cadbury below:
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Yes. And all cyclists, such as the recent one in Cork, should be hit with fines for not obeying the rules of the road, putting other road users in danger as a result.
@Alan Desmond: you mean all road users who don’t obey the rules of the road, not just cyclists, I’m sure?
@Alan Desmond: Make them pay the Road Tax too eh?
@Dotty Dunleary: No such thing as road tax.
@Alan Desmond: Is there some kind of MinuteMen anti-cycling group that has been set up to respond immediately to cycling articles with this kind of ill-informed drivel?
Yizzer impressively quick off the mark with your prejudicial whataboutery!
@Dublin Cycling: not to mention their incredibly misinformed and bigoted opinions.
@Niallers: Sarcasm there sparky…
@Dermot Lane: No Dermot. I was pretty clear with what I wrote. Was it too difficult for you to comprehend? Bless you.
@Alan Desmond: so you don’t think other road users who break the rules should be prosecuted, just cyclists? Despite the fact that all road users break the rules of the road at similar rates?
@Alan Desmond: Probably like you and the rules of the road, a bit difficult to comprehend…
@Dermot Lane: In the city cyclists far outdo vehicles for breaking the rules, overall No ones really any better than any other group as has been said. Yup traffic runs the gauntlet with changing and red lights as do cyclists. But not too often you see cars going down the wrong side of the road, at speed on footpaths and wrong way down one way streets. I will say though most of this is by those Coke Zero bikes, which aren’t exactly cyclists.
@Dotty Dunleary: I don’t consider myself a cyclist, but I use a bicycle to get to work every day (for health and fitness purposes). I pay motor tax on my car and my motorbike. Is that not enough for you?
@Dublin Cycling: a bit like most of precious cyclist commentators here with the same defensive inaccurate and irrational drivel responses … they seem to pounce on these articles in spectacular droves and immediacy. The arrogance is astounding. It is a reflection of these people as road users when their go-to response to any criticism is to try and compare the size of their pen-is to a female commenter on here when they are unable to argue their point.
@Tadhg Lehane: they do break rules at the same rates. They might not be breaking the same rules. 30% of drivers on a journal poll admitted checking social media while driving That’s a lot more dangerous than a cyclist going up a one way street, for example. And your’e right drivers don’t often do those things you mention, but I’d be pretty sure they would if they could! By the way, the only 2 people killed on a footpath this year, that I know of, were mown down by a car.
@Dermot Lane: go stand on Patrick street or grand parade. I’m sorry but cyclists are playing with playlist on Facebook and the like while cycling through traffic and people. What I’m was trying to point out is that cyclist in the city centre are worse for breaking the rules of the road. I travel a huge amount of miles all year round on foot two wheels and four and it just is my observation that in the city it’s cyclist are your biggest issue while travelling about, and again mostly Coke Zero bikes. Once outside the city centre behaviour changes dramatically and generally you’ll find the opposite true.
@Dotty Dunleary: bless, i see, on the rare occasion i read a comment of yours, you trying desperately (and i do mean desperately) to be a smart arse … well if it’s motor tax that’s paying for the roads that you cycle on and the cycle lanes that are put in place for your benefit – the least that you can do is be grateful to us who are paying for it and show some respect, i.e. use the cycle lanes provided when available, obey the rules of this paid for road so not to be an inconvenience to the paying road users, and drop this precious self important entitled attitude towards it. If you take responsibility for yourself and consideration for other road users, you’ll find drivers will and do happily reciprocate.
@Niallers: so why am I paying a fortune to have a “tax disc” displayed on my windscreen?
Tax the lycra clad and suits on bikes too!
Then they can have their special car free roads!
@Dermot Lane: I see a lot of cyclists on their phone or texting/ checking social media/ changing music (who knows) while cycling – I drive around Dublin and Ireland A LOT.
@Rodney Williams: Explain all this to one idiot and another comes along 5 minutes later. Can’t you read?
@Alan Desmond: they should get penalty points and cyclists that cycle in the car lanes and on foot paths when there are cycle paths available should be fined on the spot
@Skybloo: Nah just bored with the same carp from the likes of you so I amuse myself!
Such gems as:
“motor tax that’s paying for the roads that you cycle on and the cycle lanes that are put in place for your benefit ”
“the least that you can do is be grateful to us who are paying for it and show some respect”
The taxation on your 1L Micra pays for NOTHING I use on 2 wheels. My bike is worth more than your car too…
“so not to be an inconvenience to the paying road users”
What are you paying for again? To use public roads which everyone from the person travelling to work on the Bus, train or Luas pays for, and the person without a car who walks to work contributes towards..
Don’t bother replying unless you have something intelligent and realistic to respond with…
@talksense: What s h one t is that?
@Dotty Dunleary: no one pays road tax
@Rodney Williams: Straight to the comments eh?
@Skybloo: I only started cycling to work recently, and while I absolutely love it, I have to agree that a lot of cyclists are absolute idiots. Some of them think there in the Tour de France, cycling at breakneck speeds, with little or no regard for themselves or other cyclists, not to mention constantly pulling out in front of cars while they attempt to overtake every bike in front of them. There are also all of the cyclists who believe that traffic lights are only for cars, and who refuse to use cycle lanes, preferring instead to hold up traffic as much as they can. So yes a lot of cyclists are absolute idiots, and I would love nothing better than to see all of these clowns get fined by the Gardai, but there’s a better chance of winning the lottery.
@Aging Lothario:
Absolutely spot on. That is exactly what i see. I do see very good cyclists on the road at times and because they are not so common, i note them. It is no problem sharing the road with considerate road users. The problem is the majority of the idiot road users happen to be cyclists (to ratio) and then with same arrogance cry special entitlement of the road. Are there no lessons that road cyclists have to take? I travel across Germany and the UK quite a bit and i don’t see the incompetence of many cyclists that i see on roads here.
Like yourself, i’ve nothing against cycling – i trek mountain bike off road and enjoy it.
@Dotty Dunleary:
i’ll reply because it’s not hard to make a more intelligent comment than yours to be honest … for the craic anyway.
No. 1 – what’s wrong with driving a Nissan micro? Seriously that’s what amounts to your intelligent response? lol
No. 2 – luckily my many years of medical school and specialist training has earned me a car that i like, that gets me to the job that i am humbled to do so i doubt your bicycle is of equivalent value.
In any case, you’ve proved my point about the type of cyclists that comment on here – i think you were the one who was trying to compare the size of your pen-is with me in the past too – something i also don’t have lol
@Tadhg Lehane: try parliament street dublin 2. I’d say there were no less than 40 cyclist that waited for the green light to turn right and away most of them went to the left. There was that many of them that broke the light that a woman with a pram backed up onto the path so she wouldn’t get mowed down on a green man. They don’t care. I cycle for recreational purposes with my kids but I teach my kids the rules of the road.
@Dermot Lane: Motorists are bound by the rules of the road cyclists aren’t by the looks of it .
@Niallers: are you American or something?!
@Alan Desmond: pretty lop-sided opinion there buddy
@Rodney Williams: cos you take up more space and those big hunks of metal damage the roads over time
You have to laugh at all the idiot cycle haters who believe in”road tax” and think there is a special fund their motor tax goes into to pay for the roads.
It’s amazing how these simple fools opinions are so easily manipulated by the drivel spouted from shock jocks on Newstalk like hook and Yates, who lets be honest, would say anything if it helped their ratings.
Few home truths for these Neanderthals:
- Unlike a bike a car is a lethal weapon, even at a fraction of normal usage speed could potentially kill multiple people so deserves special treatment such as license plates driving test etc.
- Unlike a car, a pedal bike is good for the health of the cyclist and the environment
-Roads we’re not invented for nor are they exclusive to motor vehicles, they are the property of all citizens
@john doe: unlike a cyclist they weave in and out of moving traffic or traffic stuck at lights to get in front and slow it down then swivel off in either direction without signaling to do so. Unlike a cyclist they USE the same road therfore should contribute taxes. Unlike a cyclist they are not identifiable via a license plate cause accidents and cycle off. Unlike a cyclist ride on paths at high speeds. Unlike a cyclist use their phone be it for calls or texting cycling with no hands which is utter stupid..
I’ll keep going but will save the rest for another day.
I also cycle…..
@Dermot Lane: be interesting to see the results of a poll asking cyclists do they regularly do any of the following; break red lights, cycle on footpaths, cycle more than 2 abreast, cycle the wrong way down streets, cycle in pedestrian zones??? No issue with motorists being fined or penalised for breaking the rules of the road but should the same not apply to cyclists?
@Skybloo: You even know what your point is anymore?
Now you’re carping along about being a woman and men’s appendages??
You really need to get a life! Or see a Doctor!
@Nucky: so why do motorists constantly brake the rules then? If you think they don’t, you must be driving around with your head up your arse
@James O’Brien:
What’s your point james?
Roads are paid for out of general taxation… we all pay for them even pedestrians.
Yes, Some cyclists do so in a dangerous manner but they are not in charge of a lethal machine so they don’t need the same scrutiny.
Sure lots of pedestrians cross the road illegally, run on footpaths and do generally annoying things. Do you suggest they should pay an special tax to walk on a road, would you make them have insurance or a license??
No of course not because they already pay tax and like cyclists do not damage road surface and like cyclists are not likely to kill multiple people from a slight lapse in concentration.
@Dublin Cycling: it’s George hook with multiple sockpuppet accounts. He has a lot more time on his hands these days.
@Paul Delaney: it does already apply to cyclists an there was a big increase in cyclists fined last year, as reported by the Journal last week. I have never said there aren’t cyclusts who break the rules, my points are: you can’t generalise and blame all cyclusts for the actions of some, just as you can’t blame all motorists based on the actions of the minority who flout the rules. My other point is that studies show all road users break the rules at similiar rates. There are stupid, ignorant people in all sorts of vehicles.
@john doe: just cause you can’t afford a car….
@Dermot Lane: I never said they didn’t ! You must have had you head up your hole when you thought you read that ! Good lad. Fact is motorist face consequences when they do,cyclists don’t!
@Skybloo: “The problem is the majority of the idiot road users happen to be cyclists (to ratio) and then with same arrogance cry special entitlement of the road”
That’s bull, I never have to worry about getting knocked down by bike weighting a few tonnes because they broke the red light. I agree that some cyclists are dangerous on the road but not a hope are they the worse, same driving along the motorway. I don’t have to worry about a bike side swiping me because they changed lanes without looking and then cause a massive accident.
@Rodney Williams: taxation for motor vehicles is based on carbon emissions – the polluter pays. Cycling doesn’t damage the environment.
Also, 90% of Cycling Ireland members also have driving licenses.
@john doe: are you a complete idiot ? “Cyclists are not as likely to kill multiple people from a lapse in concentration !” So if a cyclist breaks a red light, or has no lights on their bike, or they’re wearing the latest pair of Beats were they can’t hear fk all , they haven’t the potential to kill or cause the death of multiple people also as a result ! Just like all types of road vehicles and users they not only put themselves at risk but others aswell. Motorists know that hitting a cyclist can have fatal consequences in most cases , and will try to avoid it to no end by swerving but to the extent that it actually puts other road users and pedestrians at risk and all because some cool dick with his Beats thinks it ok to break the lights etc
@Nucky: how many people have been killed by cyclists and how many by motorists? The answer for the last year is motorists 160, cyclists nil. How many pedestrians were killed by cyclists on footpaths and how many were killed by cars on footpaths this year? The answer is again none by cyclists and 2 by motorists , (that I know of). Let’s focus on who is causing the carnage – motorists- instead of the easy targets, cyclists.
@Alan Desmond: and riding their bikes on footpaths dodging around pedestrians..nearly injuring them..
@Dermot Lane: can you list the causes of that 160 deaths ? Or the circumstances surrounding the accidents? No you can’t cause the number for last year is actually 15 cyclists in the ROI which is still very unfortunate.
@Dermot Lane: yes Dermot cause it the motorist that makes the pedestrian walk out in front of him or the stops the cyclist from wearing a helmet or putting lights on their bicycle. The cars might always do the damage but it is not always the cause of the accidents
@Nucky: “Fact is motorist face consequences when they do,cyclists don’t!”
Sorry but that’s one of the biggest loads of Bee-Ollx I’ve heard on here, and that’s some achievement considering what Skybloo comes up with here!
If a cyclist makes a mistake on the roads he or she pays with there lives, in a car or van you might have a broken mirror or some paint damage.
The likes of you and the road tax brigade need to see things from both sides as I do, not just from some selfish one sided nonsense view!
@Nucky:
If you judge someone an idiot for suggesting motorised vehicles are more dangerous than bikes, it says more about your level of intelligence than you have the ability to comprehend.
Sure thats why isis are mowing down crowds of pedestrians on bicycles.
I get it, you dont like cyclists or their choice of headphone brands, you judge your self worth on your ability to afford a car. You will hopefully learn to deal with your insecurities one day.
@Tadhg Lehane: Proof or GTFO
@Rodney Williams: Would that be MOTOR tax your talking about there?
@Alan Desmond: Which recent one
When they pay road tax like other road users then it might be appropriate but they rule the roads and make no contribution
@Martin Brennan: I cycle and I pay motor tax. Do you pay road tax? What is this tax?
@Martin Brennan: I am amazed I have been driving for 20 years and have gotten away with never paying Road tax! I seem to be one of the few!
@Martin Brennan: Look it up. Its called motor tax. There is no such thing as road tax. smh
https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/motor-tax-revenue-to-be-paid-directly-to-central-government-1.3327927%3fmode=amp
@Martin Brennan: What contribution are you speaking about?
@Martin Brennan: nope, if cyclists did pay road taxes and also took the same attitude as yerself, nothing could prevent them from cycling right in the centre of the lane
@Al Madzer: good for you my company pays 60grand a year. Alot your cycling terrorists buddies pay nothing and if you use a bike you should pay a separte tax + insurace and the tax for disposing of your tyres
@Martin Brennan: motor tax raises about a billion a year. The new cork to Limerick motorway will cost 3 billion plus. Do you think motor tax and vrt covers the cost of building and maintaining the roads, or covers the cost on the economic damage wrought by motors and motorists? Road tax would need to increase 3 or 4 fold to even come close. Motorists are subsided by the general tax payers and it has always been so.
@Martin Brennan: “Your cyclist terrorist buddies”.
Wow. Bikes have zero emissions. Bikes dont cost in excess of 10000 yoyos. They are small in comparison to a car. Recycling a bike tyre? I drop any of mine into my local bike shop. As for insurance, that is something that needs addressing in a seperate article. Now calm down and be nice.
@Martin Brennan: Since when has there been “Road” Tax for zero emission bicycles and where can I pay it?
@Finn Faulkner: “There is no such thing as road tax in Ireland”…Really?
There are several locations throughout Ireland where road tax is collected, the M50 toll being the most well known. Toll is a synonym of tax, ergo “Road Tax”.
@Rodney Monaghan: Here, I was at the McDonalds drive thru and got 9 chicken nuggets but paid for 6, is that a Road tax refund?
@Rodney Monaghan: Its called a toll for a reason. Not a tax. And the toll for using the m50 goes directly back into its upkeep and into other areas of state. Cyclists dont use the motorways, so your little moan about tolls is meaningless. Its called motor tax. Combustion engines, yes? I forgot, cyclists have diesel V12 quad turbo engines up their backside, yes they cause emissions yes yes….
smh
@Finn Faulkner: I wasn’t moaning, I was simply pointing out the error in your denial of the existence of road tax in Ireland. Reusing the term “Motor Tax” in your response to my observation is redundant, as I made no reference to it whatsoever. SMH!
@Martin Brennan: The government should really introduce a tarmac tax for cyclists, keep the road tax for car owners :D
@Martin Brennan: What makes you think all cyclists don’t own a car and pay motor tax? Is someone making you pay a special Road Tax that gives you permission to cross the road?
@Rodney Monaghan: Rodney you plonker!
@Dermot Lane: most recent figure I’ve access to is 2014 and €4.3BN was the motorists contribution to the exchequer.
@Tadhg Lehane: i was just quoting the motor tax take, I’m not sure what the VRT and excise on petrol was that year. Even still, that money will just about cover the new roads being built. What about the costs of fatal road collisions, speed traps, speed ramps, traffic lights, traffic calming, road markings, road resurfacing, waste disposal of old tyres and abandoned cars, driver testing, issuing penalty points and court cases that follow, health costs due to inactivity and health costs due to pollution, garda traffic units, the costs involved in traffic congestion. I could go on all night!
@Dotty Dunleary: Well done, I truly admire the genius of originality!
@Tadhg Lehane: Pay your penalty points and stop shee it ing on
@Rodney Monaghan: Chateauneuf du Pape !
@Dermot Lane: overall there no way motorists do not have a nett contribution. Using your reasoning of medical cost etc we should be adding a large amount of retail VAT to the motorist contribution to the exchequer as many sales would not happen without transport. And let’s not forget that €3BN motorway is also funded from EU coffers. So for arguments sake remove ancillary figures. Garda HSE retail VAT contributory effects.
2014 motorist pays in 4.3bn. 2018 budget for roads transport AND tourism got boosted to 2bn. The car and bicycle both have their place. People just have to get a grip and accept the fact we are all here to stay.
@Tadhg Lehane: So will you accept your penalty points for parking in a cycle lane or not?
@Tadhg Lehane: where do you think EU coffers get the money from? its certainly isn’t exclusively from motorists. And despite all the above, I’m not a rabid anti motorist person, I just hate when people say cyclists are not contributing, when we contribute to cycle lanes etc the way motorists partly pay for the roads, ie through general taxation. As for drivers and whether or not they make a net contribution, this is from an article, I don’t have a link to the study to hand:
“The cost of motoring does not stop at building roads. External costs include the cost of congestion, the cost of injury and death from collisions, the cost of inactivity, the health costs of air and noise pollution, the environmental costs, poor planning and so on. An EU-wide study by the Dresden Technical University, which looked at 2008 data, put the price tag for just some of these external costs at €3 billion in Ireland and £48bn in the UK.”
@Rodney Monaghan: Well, it seems you are very misinformed about it. What a shame. Look up motor tax, or read this: https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/motor-tax-revenue-to-be-paid-directly-to-central-government-1.3327927%3fmode=amp
Road tax is a made up term that motorists use to wave in the faces of cyclists. Now go to bed.
@ABCD: not so few
Absolutely. And not just people parked there – anyone who stops in a cycle lane with their hazards on as if that doesn’t count should also get points
@Spelled with a See: you mean ‘park anywhere’ lights?
@Spelled with a See: A simple fine would also do it, but unfortunately stacking more rules won’t help, only enforcement will.
@Spelled with a See: you might need to educate people when hailing taxis so. Not to mention the impact your vision would have on delivery drivers etc.
@Fred Coloe: why should delivery drivers get to park anywhere and use their hazards as an excuse? If their position is dangerous, i don’t care if it makes their drop offs more inconvenient – they should find another place to park. I’m sick of them blocking line of sight for drivers and forcing cyclists out of cycle lanes.
@Cynical: ok, fine or points. I don’t mind which, but a fine doesn’t discourage people quite as much.
@Spelled with a See: I’m assuming this poll relates to the full time cycle lanes, not ones that people are actually allowed to park in at certain times by the way!
Drivers who park in bus stops should be fined as well
@Just Some Guy: and those parking on footpaths
@Dermot Lane: and those who take up two parking spaces in car parks, in rural Ireland those who park on roundabouts and road crossings, also in rural Ireland those that stop for a chat for 10 to 15 minutes and block traffic in both directions … the list goes on … but really nobody around to enforce these ‘rules’ if they were made.
@Dermot Lane:
Spot on
@Dermot Lane: a couple of years ago, I pulled up outside a bike shop in Dun Laoghaire, in my car, I nipped into the shop, bought the bits I needed, and was out in a couple of minutes. Waiting for me was the traffic warden, I was parked on the footpath, and there was also a double yellow line, I was fined for both offences, and rightly so, but it’s the irony that I was buying lights for my bike to commute to work that way instead of using the car.
I don’t cycle, but do think drivers should get points as with most other road infringements. Not sure how but there should also be something meaningful to penalise cyclists, would that not be fair??
@Whingy McWhingy: there are fines already in place for cyclists who break the rules
@Whingy McWhingy: Just don’t park in cycle lanes or drive too close to a bicyclist.
@Dermot Lane: a load of cobblers. When a cyclist gets a fine it might make the journal.
@pearse: The biggest issue is the ign0rant attitude to a dangerous activity like parking on a cycle path or pavement for all users. Every single day on my drive from the city to the burbs I go through rathmines road, and there are at least three cars fully parked in the cycle lane, with cyclists having to pull out into moving traffic to get by. If there is a person in the car, I make sure I get their attention and tell them to get out of the cycle lane. Usually, they do move on when you make a scene, but others(usually taxi drivers going for their lunch) are completely thick to the chaos. All I ask is that the guards who regularly pass, just bloody treat it seriously and at least get them to move – no need for fines, but if they can’t do their jobs then who will issue the fines?
@pearse: there was an article about it on the Journal last week or so, about the big increase in fines issued to cyclists.
The fact that you don’t get penalty points for parking in a cycle lane is ridiculous enough already with taking a poll.
Its been a rollicking day of motorist vs cyclist. 3 articles on the matter of driver proximity and blocked cycle paths. Feeding the fire.
The idiots know who they are. Morists who drive too fast and too close. Cyclists who dont have lights and take up massive amounts of road space. There are gobeens on both sides. Cant we all get along??
@Finn Faulkner: Cyclists taking up massive amounts of road space? You’re joking right?
Compared to all those huge queues of people sitting on their own in their cars, cyclists take up no space at all.
@Finn Faulkner: What have you got against Obese people on bicycles, they are just trying to lose weight!!
@hughsheehy: You misunderstood me. I was referring to cyclists who take up too much road space, slim and rotund alike. My apologies to those who struggle to resist breaking the 1500 calories a day recommendation.
@Dotty Dunleary: Ah, any way you look at it now, it looks like fat shaming. My apolgies.
@Finn Faulkner: I take up circa 500mm of road space when cycling. I’m going out on a limb here, but probably less than a driver sitting in a 20% full single occupant car. Or maybe all those cyclists should just jump back in their cars? Seems to be plenty of room for them on the roads in Dublin anyway.
@Gavan Quinlan: I am the same. I was referring to the holier than thou cyclist that is more than a metre out from the roadside. The lycra wannabe and their mate who like to flaunt their importance by cycling right in the middle of their roadside.
I lycra myself sometimes, but im at the same 500mm you describe and I am very polite in regards to letting cars past.
@Finn Faulkner: Even a fat cyclist takes up less space than anyone in a car. You watch the next traffic jam you’re stuck in. It isn’t made up of bicycles.
And when I’m cycling I try to use the lane because it’s safer than letting the dangerous drivers of the world think they can squeeze past.
This is becoming like a fascist mafia for cyclists.
I’m not against cyclists, i’m against this war like conflict being pushed. It’s motorist against cyclist, and cyclist against motorist.
The authorities know the public transport system isn’t anything like what a modern European Capitol should be. So cycling is promoted over the car. But cycling isn’t for everyone, public transport doesn’t cater for everyone. Why should the motorist be treated like a criminal.
@Dave Doyle: Don’t park in the cycle lanes, overtake a cyclist closely and there’s no penalty points.
@Dave Doyle: It’d help if most motorists didn’t drive like criminals.
@Dave Doyle: first of all, as a cyclist i’m looking to be safe and not treated as some sort of freak because i commute mostly by bike. does that make me part of a mafia? Second, cycling MUST form an integral part of a solution to the traffic problem in our cities, as it as done recently in Paris as a direct result of actions taken by the mayor there. Why should the motorist be treated as a criminal, you ask? Well, they’re not being treated so but it’s worth noting that car dependency in society is environmentally unfriendly in a number of ways and causes thousands of deaths per year from air pollution, especially in the cities. When the London marathon was on earlier this year, air pollution decreased along the route by 90%. So, decreasing the number of cars in cities is a must and as i said earlier, bikes have an important roll to play in this and everything possible should be done to facilitate this, the end result will be improvements for all road users
@Dave Doyle: I’m stealing this quote “This is becoming like a fascist mafia for cyclists.”
I’m going to say it randomly in work tomorrow.
@Dave Doyle: can’t belive those busw@nkers are getting away with not being dragged into this
@Dermot Lane: You sound exactly like a fascist cyclist. As a road user, you’re responsibility for your own safety. Stop cycling like an idiot and expecting everyone to get out of your way.
There’s nothing special about you,
A fascist cyclist!? What’s that exactly? As a road user I consider myself responsible for both my own safety and the safety of other road users, whether I’m in the car or on the bike. Unaware idiots like yourself need to realise that you have to share the road with all sorts of other users, each of whom has equivalent rights to use the road as you do.
Tricky one. Parking on cycle lanes forces cyclists into traffic lanes, so it’s a safety issue. Penalty points are essentially for traffic violations that impact safety. However, many cyclists say that they are entitled to cycle in traffic lanes even where a cycle lane exists, and feel that what they are doing is safe. So no penalty points for obstructinf a cycle lane until cyclists are required to use traffic where they exist.
@Tommy Roche: until cyclists are required to use cycle lanes where they exist.
@Tommy Roche:
There’s a little sign on most cycle lanes giving the times they are operational. This is usually 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm. At all other times you can park freely in them. If the lane is a dotted line you can also park in them for 30 minutes for “deliveries”. Therefore, they are not really cycle lanes at all, so the road is the place to cycle. I’m sure when actual cycle lanes exist people will use them.
@Tommy Roche: Move the cars out of cycle lanes first, worry about the rest later.
@Tommy Roche: We should simply start afresh and limit cars to those roads that are specifically for cars. Motorways and some national roads. And keep them off the rest unless they’re in specially safely segregated lanes to keep them away from other road users. If there’s space.
@Tommy Roche: “many cyclists say that they are entitled to cycle in traffic lanes even where a cycle lane exists” the law also says this, for what it’s worth…….
@Tommy Roche: There are cycle lanes on both sides of the road outside my house and only the odd cyclist uses them. The rest use the footpath, and seem to think that it is ok to do so.
What people forget is that only cycle tracks that are opposite solid white lines and with solid white lines cannot be parked on. Those with broken white lines may be parked on if safe to do so. Fact.
@Sheila Kelly Reilly: This isn’t true. I’d point you towards S.I. No. 274/1998 (Road Traffic Act). RRM 023 is a dashed white line if that helps you read the statue book.
It is illegal to drive or park in a mandatory cycle lane (solid white line) while it is in operation. (Cycle lanes have times marked on them, if they do not they are 24hr)
It is illegal to drive in a advisory cycle lane (dashed white line) while it is being used by a cyclists. It is illegal to park in an advisory cycle lane unless you meed the exceptions listed in S.I. No. 274/1998, which essentially boil down to your not a Garda, council offical, loading or unloading goods (for less than 30 minutes) or dropping-off/picking-up someone at the side of the road.
This also ignores other parking regulations like as you mention parking opposite a white line, near a corner, near a pedestrian crossing, in a clearway etc.
@Sheila Kelly Reilly: Schooled!
@Kevin Baker:
“advisory cycle lane”. What a daft concept. No wonder one knows how to use them. They cause more trouble than not having any at all. They are not cycle lanes, they are lip service.
@Dave Barnaville: In most cases I agree with you. There are times where it is appropriate for advisory cycle lanes to be provided, though we rarely apply them in such contexts in Ireland.
The Dutch (I know cyclists always quoting the Dutch) use advisory cycle lanes quiet well. It’s where we got the idea for advisory cycle lanes from as far as I know. The Dutch only use them in low traffic areas, where the actual speeds (not the speed limit) is low. In these kinds of scenarios road safety research shows that more drivers are willing to give cyclists time and space on the road (i.e. share the road). The Dutch have far better education and enforcement on this topic so it works for them.
Ireland though we’ve gone an installed advisory cycle lanes that are too narrow, normally in the door zone of parked cars and on roads that are too heavily trafficked and too fast. Most road engineers in Ireland who work for councils who agree with what I’ve just written there.
They made mistakes in the past and used advisory lanes in places they shouldn’t, which probably encouraged some cyclists into more dangerous positions in the road. However, fixing infrastructure is a long process but most councils are making progress. It’s a slow task though.
@Kevin Baker:
In the city the position I take is the position where I’m safest. Sometimes that is in a cycle lane, on a narrow street that is far enough from the kerb to stop vehicles trying to pass me. In a bus lane I stay in the middle, there is no room for a bus to pass so I don’t give them the chance to try it. I go faster than most cars in the city, and if I don’t I always catch them at the lights. In the mornings there are so many bikes that the cycle lane becomes irrelevant due to numbers. I think the best foot forward is to remove road markings and have everyone share the road. That stops the blame game, who should be where on the road, if you are stuck behind a bike, stay behind the bike, the same as if it were a car. Cycling needs some heavy work in the city. Many people are afraid to cycle, and for good reason. But it solves a lot of issues in a city, from congestion to parking spaces to health.
I’m not a cyclist,wasn’t aware you could park in cycle lane and not be fined,seems crazy,putting cyclists lives in danger.
Jasus, yer milking this one lads.
@Bilbo Baggins: The Journal.ie love this, it really gets the old goat up of the “Uh..they don’t pay the Road Tax Joe” types…
Cyclists pay no road tax, many insist on using the road instead of perfectly good cycle lanes, pay no attention to red lights, dont need to obtain any sort of licence or lessons in safe use of the road and many are aesthetically unpleasing squeezed into their lycra, especially the ones carrying excess weight (should be a public indecency fine for this) so I believe cyclists should stop whinging and be glad they are allowed on the road
@Frank Scanlon: zzz boring, try again
@Frank Scanlon: what’s road tax? I’ve heard of motor tax in this country but not road tax.
@Dave O Keeffe: so witty Dave. Losers like you cause accidents because you don’t know the rules of the road and the cops let you away with it
@Frank Scanlon: Ah Frank your ignorance is deafening, go read the rules of the road and read the statutes. Go for a cycle in these wonderful lanes and come back to me. PS nobody pays Road Tax, it’s called Motor Tax for a reason and 80% of cyclists also drive. I’m waiting for the day when we have a driving protest, city will grind to a halt without cyclists.
Is this poll asking should there be a law against parking in cycle lanes and appropirate fine/penalty points. If so then the poll is a little late. It’s already against the law and Gardaí can issue fines.
Or is the poll asking should the Gardaí enforce the law? Even the Minister for Justice would like to see the Gardaí enforce this law more often.
Though the Gardaí do need better resourcing so they can tackle all issues. More red light cameras, ANPR cameras and better technology would free up lots of roads policing time for the Gardaí to enforce more of the road traffic act.
@Kevin Baker: You’ll always find a Gardai car parked in a cycle lane outside the Spar, and them coming back to the vehicle with a can of fanta, a bag of King and a chicken fillet roll stuffed with cheese and coleslaw under the arm..
@Dotty Dunleary:
@Dave Barnaville: Yeap, pretty standard stuff, the mayor of Dublin Nial Ring loves to park his official car in designated bicycle lanes also..
Half the knobs that get caught drink driving or without insurance hardly get points…..
Ban on street parking for all private vehicles! You have a car? Use a car park! Why should private cars be allowed to park on public streets?
@Alan Kelly: True, awful waste of public space to let people park there private property! And sure you get it for free too!
Sometimes there is no other option. Cycle lanes are just being developed by narrowing streets and thereby reducing parking areas.
@Kath Noonan: there are always other options, but they might mean having to walk a couple of hundred yards. Terrible, isn’t it?
Anyone who uses the road should have insurance, and they also all have to obey the rules of the road because i am sick of seen cyclists breaking lights,
@Denise Prendergast: Stop parking in cycle lanes
@Denise Prendergast: ah now Denise, are you going to get Insurance for your 5 year old when they get their first bike?
Will we have to have insurance to walk to the shop?
Are you a paid shill for big Insurance??
No, for the simple reason that the road that runs along Clashduv Playground in Cork City has a continuous cycle lane and there are no parking spaces. It’s my nearest playground and the only one in the area yet it is still several miles from my house. Parents have nowhere else to park.
@BlueSkyThinking: Ah back in my day we used to cycle to playgrounds! It seems kids these days get chauffeured there in SUV’s! No wonder there’s an obesity epidemic in this country!
@Dotty Dunleary: I don’t know any 2 and 3 year old that cycle miles to playgrounds. Don’t be so quick to judge others. Are you familiar with the illogical layout around clashduv?
@BlueSkyThinking: just cos you are a parent gives you the right to break the law now does it??
@john doe: I’m not breaking any law. Did you rea the article? What’s the point of putting a playground somewhere and then surround it with a cycle lane and no parking. So everybody just parks there. Including soccer teams who use the pitches.
@BlueSkyThinking: actually there is a car park for that park. Its on the other side of the park by the vet. Just a 2 minute walk
@john doe: the car park is by the vets. Just look next time
Roads are for travel, not for storage of property, IE vehicles.
The practice of storing vehicles on roadways is the greatest cause of congestion, risk to others, theft of & from vehicles, obstruction of access, & should be eliminated.
People wouldn’t leave other property on the side of the road, so why vehicles worth thousands?
Councils need to move back to basics, promote commercial off street parking, apply planning requirements & night time goods delivery through day time tolls on commercial traffic in cities, instal bike lanes instead of on street parking, provide drop & pick up stops for bus & taxis.
Anything less is just fiddling with the traffic nightmare in cities, & the contributing laissez faire expansion of vehicle use.
It’s back to the future time if we are realistic .
Yes, and de-balled
No. We have moved on from bikes just as we have moved on from horse’s and carriages Roads are for poor people with cars and the rest of us with SUV’s bringing our Chole and Euan to school …….
@jerry slattery: Modern term for the SUV is the “wankpanzer”. Particularly the silver or black rangerover/xc90/x5. Wannabe Kias and Hyundais are “wankpanzerettes”
Yes and in zones field electric cars to charge!
Can we have No cycle zone in some streets.. I love to hear from the TDs who thinks these such odd thinkings… Can solve to get point syatem fpr cylcists in germany… Even u dont drive car u get points in cycling mistakes…
No. Cyclists should fook off
@B-Tech Roadman: what a fantastic contribution.
There should also be some kind of penalty for cyclists ignoring no cycling signs in public parks.
@EillieEs: there is
@Dermot Lane: it’s not enforced
The penalty points system is a failure.
Yes and cyclists who don’t use the cycle lanes should also be fined. Millions spent building them and nobody using them.
In 2012 the law (SI 332/2012 under Leo Varadkar) was changed so cyclists no longer have to use the crappy white lines called cyclelanes. That was 6yrs ago, where have you been hiding?
No because they rarely use them. Especially the Tour de France wannabes full kit wanke$s
Oh but remember that some cycle lanes are shared or only operate at certain times and parking is allowed at other times… (the same applies to bus lanes – they only operate at the displayed times)… vehicles that are illegally parked are subject to fines already…. what about a bus that pulls into a cycle lane to allow passengers disembark, or a taxi stopping to collect or drop a fair, or someone with a “disabled” person on board with limited mobility, what about delivery vehicles? this proposal could close down businesses … there are so many exceptions to the proposed rule that it would be unworkable…. and, of copurse “A broken white line means that other vehicles can drive, load and or unload and park in them for 30 minutes during their hours of operation.” .. .interestingly enough bus lanes only operate at the displayed times and if no times are displayed they never operate – I cannot find this rule for cycle lanes but it does say cycle lanes have a time of operation but I cannot confirm one way or the other what applies if the cycle lane is painted on the road but there is no cycle lane sign or operational time…
The idea that a person could get penalty points for parking in a cycle lane while at Saturday sports or Sunday mass…. I think if there were plans to introduce this there needs to be an update on cycle lane operational times… It is not that I am against the rule but when you see 100 cars parked on a piece of road painted as a cycle lane but with no operational time displayed and that has been ignored for 10 years then 24/7 dedicated cycle lanes should have double yellow lines to indicate that parking is illegal… once the signage is clear and the rules clear and enforced then I do not have an issue -
Do cyclist pay road tax?
@Ridiculous: no. Nobody pays road tax.
@Ridiculous: Nobody pays road tax. This might blow your mind, but quite a few cyclists own cars. They pay motor tax which, since 2008, is based on the C02 pollution they cause. Cyclists don’t pollute.
@Dermot Lane: Doesn’t that go to IW now???
Yes, of course they should. I was cycling as a teenager and I’m now solely a car driver for 25 years so safety first. Parking on a cycle lane means the bicycles have to go onto footpath endangering pedestrians like pensioners and children for example or they have to veer onto the road causing car/bus/lorry accidents. It’s called a cycle lane for a reason. Ps. Yes, there are inconsiderate cyclists out there too but that is not what this article is about today.
This is another stupid Micheal Martin suggestion, in a vain attempt to be trendy.
Cyclists who break the law and put all road-users at risk, e.g. by breaking red lights and not indicating correctly, etc, should get penalties and fines (and prison time for repeat offenders)!
Yes, and a good kick in the ar$3 too.
What’s the point in dedicated cycle lanes when most cyclists think they’re Stephen Roches and cycle on the road anyway? And anyone over 30 wearing Lycra should be forced to cycle without a saddle.
Do you think cyclists who ride all over the road and think they own the road get points as well?
What is really needed is an organisation to represent Motorists and be able too lobby as Cyclist groups are very good at that.
@pearse: inciting violence? Laws against that
Make them pay road tax
@Margaret Kane: you first
have your say