All posts by damien.otuama

International Posts, Irish Posts

Irish Cycling Campaign Erasmus+ Project in 2024

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Irish Cycling Campaign, formerly Cyclist.ie, is really delighted to be part of the Erasmus+ Generations Cycling for Inclusion and Climate Action project.

It commenced in late 2022, and then in 2023 there were three most enjoyable “Learning, Teaching and Training Trips” run by the partner organisations. Each of these trips left warm and lasting impressions on all of our members who took part in them. The engagements with the other six partners have been rich and educational in the full meaning of the word. Our reports on these can be read here:

And in this 20 second video, produced by Rory Maguire from the Navan Cycling Initiative group of Irish Cycling Campaign, a lovely flavour is given of the Azambuja trip:

For 2024, we are looking forward to two further “Learning, Teaching and Training trips”. These will be to:

  • Wodzislaw Slaski, a city in the south of Poland not far from the Czech Republic border. Scheduled for mid June, details to be made available to Irish Cycling Campaign members soon. 
  • Dublin in October (Thu 10 to Tue 15 Oct). A working group within Irish Cycling Campaign, including many members of Local Group Dublin Cycling Campaign, has already started to consider the different activities that might be stitched into this trip.

You can read more about Generations Cycling for Inclusion and Climate Action on the dedicated project website:

https://www.erasmuscyclingschools.com/

International Posts, Irish Posts

Minister for Transport meets Navan Cycling Initiative

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Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan attended Meath County Council earlier today (Fri 23 February 2024) to launch the Council’s Climate Action Plan and to speak with councillors. 

Members of Navan Cycling Initiative were delighted that, in the midst of all the PR, he took some time to speak with the campaigners about cycling in Navan – how was it, does it feel safe, is it getting better?

According to Dave Anderson from Navan Cycling Initiative, who is also a member of the Irish Cycling Campaign Executive Committee –

“We’ve spent much of the active travel budget so far on design and paperwork. Now we need construction and concrete. This is starting to happen, with the Trim Road project. This needs to continue, and our councillors need to step up and ensure it happens at pace.”

The full story can be read at https://navancycling.ie/yes-minister/.  

EU Posts, International Posts, Irish Posts

Inexplicable Bikes-Not-On-Ferries Policy Highlighted

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Elaine Baker from the Cycling Cloughjordan group in County Tipperary is taking a stand about the issue of Irish Ferries not allowing push bikes on the Pembroke to Rosslare ferry, despite allowing motorbikes and motorized vehicles on board. Cycling Cloughjordan is part of the Irish Cycling Campaign organisation. 

In her series of video blog posts, filmed on Sat 17 to Sun 18 February 2024, she tracks her experience of trying to bring her folding bicycle on board the service from Pembroke having been visiting friends in South Wales, with a view to sailing into Rosslare and then travelling on back home to County Tipperary. 

In this first video, filmed en route by bus to Pembroke, she explains her rationale for wanting to take the direct ferry to Rosslare – and thus avoiding the much more carbon intensive mode of flying. 

In the next video, she reports on the refusal of the company to let her on board with her bicycle – despite there being no good reason for the rule itself.

In the third third video here, filmed at 2.30am on a wet morning, she elaborates on the absence of any logic in allowing motorbikes on board the ferry but not allowing bikes without motors on board. Despite spending several hours at the ferry port talking to many different staff members, she was offered no sensible reason for why push bikes were not allowed on the ferry. 

And in this forth video, filmed with the early morning birds audible in the background and after she was asked by staff to leave the dark and fairly desolate area, she observes the ferry she was supposed to be on leaving the ferry port with motorbikes on board. 

At the time of posting this article here, Elaine was en route to Holyhead in North Wales – which is quite a circuitous route by train from Pembroke. 

Two updates further on Elaine’s journey – video #5 here and video #6 here, both from Holyhead port at around 5.30pm and 6pm respectively. In these videos (screen shot below), Elaine highlights that one of the two sailings from Holyhead around 8pm / 8.30pm would be taking foot passengers and cyclists, whereas the other one wouldn’t be.

At the time of updating this article (8.30pm on Sunday night), Elaine should have left Holyhead and be en route to Dublin Port…… after a very long and circuitous journey. 

Elaine  and Irish Cycling Campaign would like to make it a condition of the licences issued to ferry companies that any ferry which carries passengers who travel with a car or motorcycle should also be mandated to carry people on bikes and foot passengers. They can put limits on the total number of passengers of course and the total weight / size of vehicles, but they should not be allowed to carry larger vehicles but not the smaller ones.

Irish Cycling Campaign is fully behind Elaine’s activism on this issue. If we want to encourage less carbon intensive travel and therefore less flying, it should be safe, easy and permissible to take bikes on ferries and to continue journeys by bike and rail, or bike and bus.

We will add further updates to this story in due course. 

More at:

https://www.facebook.com/cyclingcloughjordan/

Dublin

Dodder Cycleway, Herbert Park to N11 Section – Press Release

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PRESS RELEASE FROM IRISH CYCLING CAMPAIGN
FOR IMMEDIATE USE

Dublin Cycling Campaign, the local branch of Irish Cycling Campaign, warmly welcomes the formal opening of the latest link of the Dodder Greenway – in this case, running alongside the river from Herbert Park to the N11 in Donnybrook, and connecting directly with Donnybrook Bridge (see map below).

This link is another important piece of the jigsaw in constructing a seamless and safe cycleway / greenway that will run from the River Liffey to Bohernabreena Reservoir in the Dublin Mountains. It also skirts around the edge of Donnybrook rugby stadium so it should help in providing a high quality cycle route for those choosing to cycle to the stadium for games. 

Úna Morrison, Chair of Dublin Cycling Campaign, said:

“This is a great day for commuting and leisure cyclists in Dublin. This link adds to the evolving Dodder Cycleway that will, ultimately, connect the coast to the mountains with a near-completely motor traffic free route. We were delighted to see the recent links opened in the South Dublin County area, and now we commend the City Council in completing this link, which is due to be followed directly by an open consultation process on the section from Dundrum Road to Milltown Road”. 

She added:

“The next element Dublin cyclists want to see is a super high quality link running from Dodder Park in Milltown/Clonskeagh and connecting into this facility – and also simplifying and greatly improving the N11 / Beaver Row / Ailesbury Road junction which is currently quite intimidating for novice cyclists. There are many schools in this area and there is simply huge potential to transform the commuting experience of many students”.

Mairéad Forsythe, Chair of the Board of Irish Cycling Campaign, said the following:

“South Dublin County Council have completed some fantastic sections of the Dodder Cycle Route in recent years, and already we are seeing simply huge numbers of locals and visitors using the route – both on foot and on cycles of all shapes and sizes. Many people are rediscovering their localities as a result of this investment in cycling.” 

Irish Cycling Campaign’s National Cycling Coordinator, Dr. Damien Ó Tuama, noted:

“the launch of this link comes immediately after the National Transport Authority’s announcement of the €290 million in funds for cycling and walking infrastructure in 2024. We know from experience abroad, but now also in Ireland, that when we invest in high quality cycling and walking infrastructure that connects to important destinations, and when we introduce lower safer speed limits in built-up areas, we get significant shifts in how people choose to travel. This is all part of a wider transformation of our mobility habits and the decarbonisation of our culture. We are really looking forward to the completion of the full Dodder Route in due course”. 

For further quotes, please contact:

Dr. Damien Ó Tuama, National Cycling Coordinator with Irish Cycling Campaign and An Taisce. Mobile 087-2840799 

 More information at:

www.irishcyclingcampaign.ie

https://www.dublincycling.com/

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/publications/active-travel-investment-grants-2024-allocations/

https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/transportation/active-travel/projects/dodder-greenway-project/dodder-greenway-and-flood-defence-project-herbert-park-donnybrook-road-1 

Photos used in this article are from: https://www.facebook.com/DublinCityCouncil

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Irish Cycling Campaign (formerly Cyclist.ie)
5 Foster Place
Dublin 2
D02 V0P9
Ireland
www.irishcyclingcampaign.ie

Irish Posts

Call for Members to Stand for Election to the Board

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Call for members to stand for election to the Board of Directors / Trustees of the Irish Cycling Campaign

What is the Board?
The Irish Cycling Campaign is both a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity.  The Board of Directors/Trustees is the grouping of people who are responsible for governing the organisation. The Board does not play an active role in campaigning and other day-to-day issues, but retains oversight and deals with matters relating to legal and regulatory compliance, risk management, financial control, internal policy development, staffing, and so on.  After years of dedicated service, some of our Board members have decided to step down, and we are now looking to fill up to 6 vacancies.

What is expected of Board members?

  • Strongly supporting our vision, mission and strategic aims
  • Always acting appropriately and in the best interests of our organisation
  • Preparing for, attending and participating fully in meetings of the Board, which are generally held online during the evening at least every 2 months
  • Actively contributing to the work of the Board and following through on actions agreed to
  • Time commitment: a couple of hours a week over a 3-year term (ideally)

What kind of people are you looking for?

  • Adults of any age and from any background
  • Based anywhere in Ireland, with a particular desire currently for people outside of Dublin
  • Having a commitment to good governance
  • Holding a variety of skill-sets that might include: charity governance, HR, law, finance, fundraising, organisational development, etc
  • We are definitely on the look-out for a new Treasurer
  • You preferably cycle but do you NOT need to have been involved in cycle campaigning previously

What would I get out of it?

  • Doing something practical to combat the climate, health, congestion, road safety and associated crises
  • Gaining satisfaction from being involved in an organisation that is a leader in cycling development and is at an exciting juncture
  • Being part of a friendly, hardworking team of other volunteers
  • A chance to share your skills and learn some new ones along the way

I might potentially be interested; what do I do?
If you want to find out more, you can contact our Chair Mairead Forsythe for an informal chat.  If you are ready to throw your hat in the ring, please complete this nomination form by 15 February 2024.  We are very much looking forward to hearing from you!

Uncategorized

Call for Members to Stand for Election for the Executive Committee

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Call for Members to Stand for Election for the Executive Committee of the Irish Cycling Campaign

What is the Executive Committee of Irish Cycling Campaign?
The mission of Irish Cycling Campaign (formerly Cyclist.ie – the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network) is to celebrate, advocate for and enable everyday cycling as a means of travel. We see the bicycle as a tool to secure many environmental, health and societal gains, and see cycling as an empowering and enjoyable activity in its own right. Irish Cycling Campaign (ICC) is both a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity (RCN 20102029).

The Executive Committee of ICC is the group that is responsible for advancing the implementation of our current strategy and managing our day-to-day campaigning issues; the Board of ICC, on the other hand, looks after matters of governance. At our Annual General Meeting on 29 Feb 2024, a new / refreshed Executive Committee (of 12 persons max) of ICC will be elected by members of the organisation.

What does being an Executive Committee member entail?
We are seeking strong campaigners to join the Executive Committee and to lead the organisation in the next phases of its advocacy journey. The expectations of EC members are listed here:

  • Strongly supporting our vision, mission and strategic aims
  • Always acting appropriately and in the best interests of our organisation
  • Preparing for, attending and participating fully in meetings of the Executive Committee, which are held online on a monthly basis (on approx 10 months of the year) and ideally include at least one in-person meeting per year 
  • Actively contributing to the work of the Executive Committee and following through on actions agreed to
  • Actively contributing to the work of one of our Action Groups (ideally)
  • Time commitment: a couple of hours a week over a 1-year term (ideally)

What kind of people are you looking for?

  • A diversity of people in terms of age, gender and background
  • Based anywhere in Ireland
  • A commitment to help run a leading and growing advocacy organisation   
  • Those who work well as part of a closely knit team
  • Holding a variety of skill-sets and experiences – such as campaigning / activism / advocacy / lobbying, event management, fundraising, communications, organisational development, IT, research etc.
  • You must be a current member of Irish Cycling Campaign to be a candidate https://cyclist.ie/membership-sign-up/ 

What would I get out of it?

  • Taking meaningful and effective action to combat the climate, health, road safety and associated crises
  • Gaining satisfaction from being involved in an organisation that is the leader in cycling and sustainable transport advocacy, and that is at an exciting juncture in its development
  • Being part of a friendly, hardworking team of other volunteers
  • Developing connections with and support from cycling advocates across the country.
  • Sharing your skills and learning some new ones along the way

I might potentially be interested; what do I do?

If you want to find out more, you can contact our National Cycling Coordinator, Dr. Damien Ó Tuama (or other members of our current Executive Committee). If you are ready to throw your hat in the ring, please complete this nomination form by 15 February 2024.  We are very much looking forward to hearing from you!

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Irish Cycling Campaign Executive Committee
www.irishcyclingcampaign.ie
31 January 2024

Irish Posts

Irish Cycling Campaign CLG AGM 2024

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Thursday, 29th February 2024 – 8pm online

The Irish Cycling Campaign CLG Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, 29th February 2024 at 8pm. 

The AGM is open to fully paid-up individual members of the Irish Cycling Campaign (Dublin Cycling Campaign members included). 

You can register for the event here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwucu2hqDwqG9IizDJAdVQzi4yRTkw505n8

We are also looking for new members to join the Board and Executive Committee this year. To nominate yourself please complete this form: 
Board and EC nominations form

Call for members to join Board – see:
https://cyclist.ie/2024/02/call-for-members-to-stand-for-election-to-the-board/

Call for members to join the Executive Committee – see:
https://cyclist.ie/2024/02/call-for-members-to-join-the-executive-committee/

Agenda:

  • Approval of Minutes of AGM 2022 (held on 07.12.2022)
  • Approval of Minutes of Jan 2024 EGM (held on 04.01.2024)
  • Update on the previous year from Board
  • Update on the previous year from Executive Committee of Irish Cycling Campaign (formerly Cyclist.ie)
  • Financial update to include previous year’s audited accounts and current year to date
    • Acceptance of financial statements
    • Re-appointment of current auditor or appointment of new auditor
  • Elections to the Board – replacement of four positions
  • Elections to the Executive Committee
  • Motions
  • Final Announcements (Upcoming events etc.)

Key dates:

  • Send nominations to the board by 6pm on Thursday, 15th February 2024
  • Send nominations to the Executive Committee by 6pm on Thursday, 15th February 2024
  • Send member motions to [email protected] by 6pm on Thursday, 15th February 2024
  • Final agenda with supporting information will be sent Thursday, 22nd February 2024
  • Final date of registration – 6pm on Tuesday, 27th February 2024. Only fully paid-up members of Irish Cycling Campaign (including Dublin Cycling Campaign) as of 6pm on Thursday, 15th February 2024 can attend and vote at the AGM
  • Annual General Meeting – Thursday, 29th February 2024 at 8pm – Online
Irish Posts

How to Report Illegal Parking in Bike Lanes

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Earlier in January, one of our members emailed the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau seeking clarity on how one should report illegal parking in bike lanes.

The questions posed are immediately below and the responses are beneath those. 

1) Can it only be done at a Garda station? If there are other ways, please list all ways
2) Must photos be provided? If so, how? And is there anything else regarding photos that is required?
3) Must a statement be given in order for a penalty to be issued?
4) Are there restrictions as to when the report can be made? Eg. Next day?
5) Are there any other requirements when reporting illegal parking?

Response

Thank you for contacting this office.

With reference to your email hereunder, this office is to advise as follows in relation to your query.

With regards to the reporting of illegal parking of vehicles in cycle lanes, this office is to advise that reports can be made as follows;

  • Reports can be made at your local Garda Station.
  • Reports can be made using the Traffic Watch lo-cal number – 0818 205 805
  • Reports can be to the relevant local authority.

It is advised that documentary evidence of an offence is recorded by reporting persons, such as photograph/video.

In submitting documentary evidence of a road traffic offence, the provision of a statement to a member of An Garda Síochána may be necessitated.

It is advised that reports to An Garda Síochána are made at the earliest convenience, to ensure an appropriate and timely response.

In the event that a prosecution is instigated against a vehicle user/owner by a member of An Garda Síochána following such report, the reporting party may be required to attend any prosecution before the District Court in a witness capacity.

Please find information on Traffic Watch from the attached hyperlink, which may be assistance to you:
https://www.garda.ie/en/roads-policing/road-safety/traffic-watch.html 

Note:
The photo above was kindly provided by Noel Hogan in the Drogheda Cycling Group – https://www.droghedacycling.ie/. The image above shows illegal car parking on footpaths, not bike lanes in this case.

Irish Posts

Irish Cycling Campaign now part of the Environmental Pillar

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Irish Cycling Campaign is delighted to announce that we are now part of the Environmental Pillar. This news comes shortly after our admittance into the Irish Environmental Network, as we reported on before Christmas here.

Established in 2009 by a government decision, the Environmental Pillar (EP) comprises 32 national independent environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and it works to represent the views of the Irish environmental sector. 

The work of the Environmental Pillar’s members covers a broad range of areas including habitat conservation, wildlife protection, environmental education, sustainability, waste and energy issues, as well as environmental campaigning and lobbying. The Pillar envisions a world where people and the planet thrive alongside each other, and work in a number of areas to bring it about.

Mairéad Forsythe, Chair of the Board of Irish Cycling Campaign, on hearing of the confirmation of our membership of the EP said:

“We are very happy to be part of the Environmental Pillar and we look forward to contributing our expertise on transport matters to the network, particularly in regard to walking and cycling policy and the decarbonisation of transport. It will be exciting to work more closely with well-informed organisations such as An Taisce, Feasta, Friends of the Earth and Cultivate, so as to help shape policy and advance our aims around making transport more sustainable and safer.” 

The full list of members of the Environmental Pillar can be read here: https://environmentalpillar.ie/our_members/.