With the general election looming we felt the need to make ourselves known to the prospective TDs and make cycling visible in the election campaign. Jonivar created a survey which can be found along with the summary at http://cyclin.gg/survey . The survey deals with; personal bicycle use, national cycling policy, benefits of cycling, encouraging cycling among children, driver training, bike schemes and the law. Continue reading Survey of General Election 2011 Candidates
Cycle on and be counted
Automatic cycle counter
Location: N11 inbound, at border with DLR CoCo and City
Operational since 1 Jan 2011
It was funded by NTA
Should you talk on your phone while cycling?
If my phone rings while I’m cycling, normally I won’t answer. I’m basically concerned for my safety – I’m not sure I could co-ordinate riding along and digging my phone out of my pocket at the same time. Unfortunately some callers seem to have an uncanny knack of knowing when I’m on my bike, and will keep phoning until I stop. I think the record so far is five calls before I finally gave up and pulled over. If you see someone riding along with a Vampire Weekend ringtone playing on repeat – that’s me. Continue reading Should you talk on your phone while cycling?
Northern Ireland Bike Helmet Law proposals: Helmet Law would be a public health disaster say cyclists
Cyclist.ie, the Irish national cycling lobby group, has reacted with dismay and deep concern to news of a proposal to make it illegal for people to cycle in Northern Ireland unless they wear a helmet.
Cyclist.ie chairperson Dr. Mike McKillen stated “The regular exercise provided by cycling confers protection against heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes. There is a straightforward public health imperative to get as many people as possible to make daily journeys by bicycle. If this aim is be realised, we must not get distracted by counterproductive debates about helmet wearing. The drop in the number of cyclists following vigorous helmet promotion in other jurisdictions draws a stark picture: you can promote cycling or you can promote helmets; you cannot do both” Continue reading Northern Ireland Bike Helmet Law proposals: Helmet Law would be a public health disaster say cyclists
Bike Hub’s smart phone app is free. What more could one ask for?
Some months ago, we reviewed CycleStreets – at the time, the closest thing to satnav for bikes.
It wasn’t quite a TomTom on two wheels, but it was still a revelation for anyone who had spent hours working out the quietest or fastest routes from A to B on paper. And it was free. What more could one reasonably ask for? Continue reading Bike Hub’s smart phone app is free. What more could one ask for?
Learner driver in court over cyclist death
A MARRIED woman out for an early-morning cycle was struck and killed by a learner driver who was overtaking a cattle truck, a court heard. Joseph Hanley, 26, of 5 Sycamore Drive, Bruff, yesterday pleaded not guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to dangerous driving causing the death of Carmel O’Brien, 49, at Uregare, Kilmallock, on August 17, 2007. Continue reading Learner driver in court over cyclist death
Cycling or recycling? Founder’s award for bike business
ANNE BEDOS, the founder of Dublin not-for-profit bicycle business Rothar, has won the 2011 David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Award.
A community-based business, Rothar (meaning bicycle) recycles and sells discarded bicycles and offers training to young people wishing to learn bicycle repairs. Continue reading Cycling or recycling? Founder’s award for bike business
Report highlights lack of active travel
Half of all car journeys in the Greater Dublin Area involve trips of less than one mile, according to a report by Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH).
The institute said the use of private cars for “short and uncomplicated” journeys such as going to work or school had continued to increase in Ireland and highlighted the need to strengthen policies which promoted active travel.
It is calling for more policies to promote active travel, such as walking and cycling. Continue reading Report highlights lack of active travel
Cycling off the tracks
Madam, – I wonder does Richie McCormack (December 31st) have the imprimatur of South County Dublin Council when he calls for cyclists to use segregated cycle tracks when they are provided? If this is the official view of his council then it would be worrying indeed.
The reason many cyclists choose not to ride on segregated tracks but instead use the carriageway is because most of the tracks are poorly maintained (littered with slimy leaf mould or broken glass and gravel), with tree roots protruding through the pavement surface. The tracks are used willy-nilly as a parking place for builders’ skips and cars. In the recent snowy period they were not gritted or cleared of snow and ice, in contrast to most of the major roads to which they run parallel. Continue reading Cycling off the tracks
Bikes on trains – reservations now possible
After much delay there is now an interim solution for booking a bike space on a train.
You must book online and the bike space must be reserved at the same time as you purchase your ticket. If you buy two tickets you get two bike spaces, so if traveling in a group where only one needs a bike space they need to book separately
Flat bike fare is 6 euro single or 12 return this is cheaper than current fares for most medium to long distance journeys
On most trains the name of the bike owner should be displayed electronically at the bike rack
More information and feedback on Dublin Cycling Group’s Facebook page
Articles in Independent.ie and IrishTimes.com
Irish Rail’s announcement page, and their page on cycles and trains