Video: Cyclist in Ireland tries to beat level crossing barrier - and loses

Ireland's national rail operator has warned people top respect warning signals at level crossings, tweeting footage of a cyclist who crashed into a barrier while trying to make it across before a train arrived.

The CCTV video, posted by Iarnród Éireann, also known as Irish Rail, shows the rider successfully making it under the first barrier and across the rails before crashing into the barrier on the other side.

Update: Maynooth services operating up to 30 mins late due level crossing damage caused by a cyclist. Pls heed #warningsignals & #bikesafety pic.twitter.com/2qsAtieC05

— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) October 25, 2017

The incident happened at Coolmine, around 15 kilometres from Dublin, and caused trains to be delayed while damage to the barriers was repaired.

We've covered several stories in recent months involving cyclists and level crossings - luckily, in each case, the riders concerned emerged unscathed.

In May, a man with a bike in south west London was almosst hit by a train after deciding to squeeze through the closed  level crossing gates, despite people nearby shouting at him not to do so. His reply was, "I don't f*cking care, mate."

> Video: Cyclist almost hit by train after forcing his way through level crossing gates

Last month, Cannondale-Drapac pro cyclist Taylor Phinney was thrown out of the Tour of Britain when he went through a level crossing as the gates were coming down.

He explained afterwards that he had been trying to return to the peloton after a mechanical issue and apologised for the incident.

> Phinney disqualified from Tour of Britain for crossing railway when the barriers were coming down

Earlier this month, Network Rail released footage of a female cyclist who got caught between the gates of a level crossing in West Sussex.

> Video: Cyclist gets caught behind level crossing barriers in West Sussex