Dr Vinny Griffith, was cycling back home from University College Hospital Galway (UCHG ) on the evening of Wednesday, September 28, when he was “doored” by a parked car.
This is the second time a healthcare worker has been “doored” on the streets of Galway while on their way home from work in the last few months. Dooring, a term which is used to describe the action of when a car door is opened into the path of an oncoming cyclist, and can cause extensive injuries to the cyclist.
In August, Dr Ciara Curran was cycling along The Prom in Salthill, when she was doored by a parked car. The “dooring” resulted in her handlebars being knocked which sent her flying off her bike and onto the next lane, where oncoming traffic was approaching, Dr Curran, a “seasoned cyclist” said on Galway Bay FM show, Galway Talks, that she was “lucky to be alive”.
Similar to Dr Curran, Dr Griffith was travelling back home from his shift at UCHG where he works on the geriatrics ward. The incident happened past Kellehers Garage on Salthill Road Lower, between 6:30pm and 7:15pm. Explaining events, Dr Griffith said that the occupants of the vehicle were American tourists, who were very helpful and shocked by the incident. “They were very nice and instantly apologised. They brought my bike in off the road and were very nice about the whole thing.
“They got out the first aid kit in their car and patched me up and drove me back to my house in Salthill and were so upset about what had happened.”
Dr Griffith, an experienced cyclist, says the event has left him “shaken” and he has not yet gotten back on his bike following the “dooring.”
“I haven’t been back on the bike since and I’m fairly shaken still,” said Dr Griffith, who previously travelled to work via bicycle regularly.
Dr Griffith says that greatly improved cycling infrastructure is badly needed in the area.
“A cycle lane is imperative. A fantastic and essential option, a cycle lane could be utilised by cyclists or residents and would make being on a bike easier. It would also reduce the feeling that you are slowing down traffic for half a mile. Something that would prevent you feeling like you are an obstruction, or that you are unsafe
“I’ll be a lot more cautious on the bike next time, that’s for sure.”
