Slippery for Cyclists

This specialized warning sign appears primarily in urban areas and on designated cycling routes throughout Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and other cities where cycling infrastructure and motor traffic share road space.

Common locations include approaches to canal bridges with metal gratings, tram line crossings where rails create smooth surfaces, sections with temporary metal road plates during utility works, tree-lined streets where autumn leaves accumulate, and steep gradients where painted road markings become slippery when wet.

You'll also see this sign on greenways where they transition to shared road sections, near maintenance yards where oils or fluids may contaminate surfaces, and on bridges with expansion joints.

The sign is particularly prevalent in areas designated as Cycle Superhighways or National Cycle Network routes where cyclist safety receives enhanced attention.

This triangular warning specifically alerts drivers and cyclists to road surface conditions that present reduced traction for bicycle tires, even when cars maintain normal grip.

Surfaces like wet leaves, smooth concrete, painted road markings, metal plates, or ice affect bicycles far more severely than motor vehicles due to their narrower tires, lower weight distribution, and inherent stability limitations.

For drivers, this sign means expect cyclists to behave unpredictably—they may brake sooner, corner more cautiously, or make sudden maneuvers to avoid slippery patches.

Increase following distance, overtake with greater clearance, and anticipate that cyclists might swerve away from problematic surfaces.

For cyclists, it's a warning to reduce speed substantially, avoid sudden braking or sharp turns, and consider dismounting in extreme conditions.

The sign often appears seasonally—installed during autumn leaf-fall periods or winter months and removed when conditions improve.

There are no direct penalties for drivers or cyclists disregarding this advisory sign, but failure to adjust behavior can result in serious consequences.

If a driver overtakes a cyclist too closely in a signed hazard area and the cyclist falls due to the poor surface, the driver may face dangerous driving charges (€5,000 fine, 5 penalty points, potential disqualification) or vehicular manslaughter if death results.

Cyclists who ignore the warning and subsequently cause an accident through loss of control may face contributory negligence findings that reduce their compensation claims by 20-40%, even if another party was primarily at fault.

Local authorities that fail to maintain surfaces properly after erecting these signs face civil liability exposure under Occupiers Liability legislation.

Insurance companies specifically investigate whether warned hazards were acknowledged—documented failure to adjust driving or cycling behavior for signed conditions can void coverage or reduce settlements significantly under the principle that warned risks become foreseeable and avoidable.

While this specialized sign doesn't appear frequently in the standard Driver Theory Test, it's increasingly featured in updated question banks that reflect modern cycling infrastructure.

When it does appear, questions typically present a scenario showing this sign and ask what precaution drivers should take or what the hazard means.

The test designers want confirmation that you understand vulnerable road user protection responsibilities.

Expect questions like: 'You see this sign—what should you do?' with correct answers emphasizing increased following distance, reduced overtaking speed, and heightened observation of cyclist behavior.

In practical driving tests conducted in urban areas with significant cycling traffic, examiners assess your awareness of and consideration for cyclists, particularly in signed hazard zones.

They watch for appropriate speed reduction when following cyclists through warned areas, safe overtaking distances (minimum 1.5 metres), and observation patterns showing awareness of vulnerable road users.

Failure to demonstrate adequate cyclist awareness can result in test failure under the 'show consideration for other road users' competency.