Solicitor campaigns for stricter cycle laws after accident in Greece

A Dublin-based solicitor who was hit by a car and injured while cycling in Greece has called for a change in Irish law to protect cyclists.

Cahir O’Higgins said the incident, which fortunately left him with only minor injuries, illustrated the need for change in Ireland.

Mr O’Higgins told the Irish Independent that he required “eight stitches on my chin” and suffered “a couple of harmless fractures on my fingers and a rib, with a bit of a concussion and a few scrapes”.

The lawyer, who cycles competitively, was training in the mountainous Soniou region when he was struck on Monday by a car that drove off.

He posted a photo of his injuries on Facebook alongside a comment advocating for a proposed law to require Irish motorists to give cyclists a metre and a half of clearance when passing from the rear.

He assisted TDs Ciarán Cannon and Regina Doherty in drafting the Road Traffic (Minimum Passing Distance of Cyclists) Bill 2017.

Mr O’Higgins said: “We need to lobby to get this law passed in Ireland and we need to have much greater awareness of cyclist safely. Truthfully I’m lucky to be alive today.”