” … Corrupt planning and the age profile of politicians who still think driving is the future have been part of the problem. But more than anything else there has been a lack of courage to do the right thing now even if the dividends aren’t seen before this generation of politicians has retired …” Read article
Category Archives: Irish Posts
Ireland, see also NI
Cyclists welcome rejection by An Bord Pleanala of controversial Kerry N86 road design
Cyclists hail scrapping of NRA “fake greenway” scheme
Similar schemes based on putting recreational and touring cyclists beside busy trunk roads should now be halted and reviewed by Government
Cyclist.ie, Ireland’s National Cycling Network and Lobby Group, has welcomed An Bord Pleanala’s rejection (9 September) of a controversial Kerry County Council/National Roads Authority (NRA) scheme for the N86 in the Dingle peninsula. The road upgrade scheme running from Camp to Dingle had attracted particular concern because the designers planned to co-locate a tourist cycle-path directly beside high speed traffic for the entire length of the scheme (28 km), rather than making use of the old Tralee-Dingle Railway alignment (abandoned) and adjacent minor roads along the route. The designers missed the fact that an off road cycle route would be a tourist attraction in itself, creating an entirely new tourist product. Continue reading Cyclists welcome rejection by An Bord Pleanala of controversial Kerry N86 road design
Cyclists facing on-the-spot €50 fines for riding on footpaths
The Government is to introduce new regulations allowing gardai to impose fines of €50 against cyclists who break road safety laws, it has been learned. Read article
Politically Painless Active Travel
Politically Painless Active Travel Seminar in Derry on Wednesday 19th June 2013 (10am start) followed by a public meeting in the evening in Belfast. Full details
Come west along the railroad
Plans to turn disused railways into greenways – routes for cycling and walking – have proved contentious
The idea of turning abandoned railway lines into walking and cycling routes, called greenways, is catching on. Indeed, Taoiseach Enda Kenny knows all about the success of the longest greenway in Ireland, running from Westport to Achill, in his Mayo constituency.
Roads turnaround: blueprint for urban areas puts cars at bottom of hierarchy
New design manual recommends steps stuch as getting rid of guardrails, providing more zebra crossings and ‘decluttering’ streets by removing traffic signage
The accumulated wisdom of two generations of road engineers grappling with traffic in towns has been turned on its head by the Design Manual for Urban Roads issued jointly by the Departments of Transport and Environment.
No exit
Cyclists back RGDATA’s call for parking levy on out-of-town shopping centres’ car parks
Cyclist.ie, the network for all the cycling campaigns in Ireland, has endorsed this week’s call by RGDATA, the umbrella group for local shops, for a levy to be imposed on car-parking at out-of-town shopping centres.
According to the cyclists a vibrant, locally-based retail sector is important if walking and cycling for transport are to grow and prosper. Cyclist.ie chair Dr. Michael McKillen said “we cannot expect people to walk or cycle to local shops that have been put out of business by unfair and uncompetitive parking policies. Out of town shopping developments by their very nature tend to be at locations that are too far or too difficult to reach by bike or on foot”. Cycle Campaigners and RGDATA have previously supported each other in calls for the retention or reinstatement of the Groceries Order banning below cost selling by large multiples. Continue reading Cyclists back RGDATA’s call for parking levy on out-of-town shopping centres’ car parks
Rise in Number of Children Walking / Cycling to School?
A recent report commissioned by the Irish Sports Council found that the number of children engaged in active travel to school ie walking or cycling has risen considerably since 2004. Apparently good news but a closer examination shows that the news is not as good as first seemed.
While there has been a significant increase in cycling and walking it will come as no surprise to cycling advocates to learn that all of the increase is in walking. Among secondary school pupils the number of cyclists has remained at the same level while among primary students the level of cycling has actually fallen. Continue reading Rise in Number of Children Walking / Cycling to School?