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Planning to get your bike out for the bright evenings? You should probably read this

Cyclists are most likely to be injured from May to September.

MORE PEOPLE ARE cycling in Ireland and the extra hour of daylight will see more cyclists on the roads in the evenings.

However, how many of these bikes have insurance? Mayo County Council says that many cyclists take to the roads without any.

It says that while many cyclists might consider insurance important in the case of bike theft - the greatest financial loss cyclists suffer is liability for damage to another’s property or person.

The Road Safety Authority reports that cyclists are most likely to be injured during May to September.

Noel Gibbons, Road Safety Officer Mayo County Council, said many cyclists think they are fully covered by their household contents policies but these do not always go far enough.

Household insurance policies are general insurance. They do not provide specialist cover that you might need whether it’s for theft or for third party.

“So if you go to a specialist insurer or to a cycling organisation to get that sort of cover specifically aimed at cycling, that is what the policy is designed for and you benefit from that.

“Although cyclists may be more vulnerable on the roads, statistically they are less likely to be responsible for an accident than a motorist – and that is reflected in the premiums.

“Cycle club membership can be got at a cost of around €50 a year or you can become a member of cycling Ireland for €15. There are over 300 clubs in Ireland with over 23,000 members.”

Read: Cyclists don’t trust drivers, drivers don’t trust cyclists>

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Cliodhna Russell
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