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Cycling/Walking around the city

12357…27

Comments

  • #202
    galwaycyclist
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,912 ✭✭✭galwaycyclist


    Iwannahurl wrote: »
    Correct me if I'm getting the wrong impression, but are you saying that not having lights on ones bike (totally illegal, as well as being stupid and irresponsible, IMO) is a valid reason for cycling on footpaths?

    We can leave their sartorial preferences out of this, since there are no (official) fashion police out on patrol as yet.

    You also say that "policing should be concentrated in the latter type of area", ie stretches of footpath where "grannies and kids" might get knocked over by footpath cyclists.

    Correct me again if I am making an incorrect inference, but are you suggesting that, in a context where illegally unlit cyclists are illegally cycling on footpaths, that "policing should be concentrated" only in areas where grannies and kids might get knocked over?

    In fairness to Spongebob he did not use the word only. We need to move away from simply concentrating on footpath cycling and focus on the wider problem. The wider problem is an absence of policing and in my view much footpath cycling occurs in response to road conditions that result from an absence of policing.


  • #203
    Iwannahurl
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl


    galwaycyclist wrote: »
    In fairness to Spongebob he did not use the word only. We need to move away from simply concentrating on footpath cycling and focus on the wider problem. The wider problem is an absence of policing and in my view much footpath cycling occurs in response to road conditions that result from an absence of policing.



    Precisely.

    Policing should be concentrated on where the greater danger is, and policy should be concentrated on where the greater good is. Or something along those lines that might be more ramified than a 'soundbite' allows.


  • #204
    Sponge Bob
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 25,234 ✭✭✭✭Sponge Bob


    galwaycyclist wrote: »
    The wider problem is an absence of policing and in my view much footpath cycling occurs in response to road conditions that result from an absence of policing.

    There are other considerations too. At this time of year a slippery road slush of fallen leaves and an admixture of oil can make spaces near kerbs very dangerous. Blocked drains can cause severe spot flooding. This forces cyclists onto footpaths who would ordinarily not do so. Alternatively it forced them further out on the carriageway which is perfectly fair.

    Once the leaves have fallen and been cleared and the drains have been pumped, say by late November, the situation resolves itself.

    By the same logic the roads may be better salted than the paths on a frosty morning in January, forcing pedestrians onto the roadway so they can actually walk.

    Therefore the enforcement regime should be adaptable to particular conditions that apply for 6-8 weeks on tree lined roads as in that example rather than enforce an anally narrow interpretation of the Rules of the Road which is unsuitable at that particular time.

    Impounding bikes, just like cars, would be an excellent solution for egregious breaches of course. :)

    The solution in one of the pinch points, Marys Road, is to ban car parking altogether in October and November owing to the serious annual degradation of safe roadspace and not to restore it until the slush is cleared. This would mean the street cleaners have to talk to Joe Tansey and the lads of course. :D:D


  • #205
    antoobrien
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,106 ✭✭✭antoobrien


    Sponge Bob wrote: »
    There are other considerations too. At this time of year a slippery road slush of fallen leaves and an admixture of oil can make spaces near kerbs very dangerous. Blocked drains can cause severe spot flooding. This forces cyclists onto footpaths who would ordinarily not do so. Alternatively it forced them further out on the carriageway which is perfectly fair.

    Once the leaves have fallen and been cleared and the drains have been pumped, say by late November, the situation resolves itself.

    By the same logic the roads may be better salted than the paths on a frosty morning in January, forcing pedestrians onto the roadway so they can actually walk.

    Therefore the enforcement regime should be adaptable to particular conditions that apply for 6-8 weeks on tree lined roads as in that example rather than enforce an anally narrow interpretation of the Rules of the Road which is unsuitable at that particular time.

    Hang on a sec Spongebob that's a common sense approach to policing. We can't be having that, the enitre situation would just revert to anarchy because the guards will be able to choose which laws make no sense so they can ignore them :rolleyes:


  • #206
    Iwannahurl
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl


    Occasional policing would be a start, never mind "seasonal" or "anal".


  • #207
    Sponge Bob
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 25,234 ✭✭✭✭Sponge Bob


    antoobrien wrote: »
    Hang on a sec Spongebob that's a common sense approach to policing.

    We have millions of laws, sure the guards were in charge of Noxious Weeds for around 75 years and nobody was getting done at al for 50 of theml so they simply took the noxious weeds enforcement off the guards a year or two back. :)

    Best thing is for Galwaycyclist to suggest applicable packages of laws for particular situations to the Guards and let them enforce those 'packages' according to locality/conditions.

    I don't suppose anyone ever saw the Traffic Corps on foot ..did they?? :D


  • #208
    MrTsSnickers
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 221 ✭✭MrTsSnickers


    Hi all, I've recently gotten a bike (by recently, I mean yesterday), I can cycle but I'm a novice.

    I know the rules of the road etc but does anyone know of anywhere that I could practice (around the east of the city i.e. Roscam/suburbs i.e. Oranmore) so as to gain a bit of confidence on the road with me rothar without endangering myself or others. I've been going around my estate, which is fine but I have that mastered now and want to push on while i'm motivated.

    Also, are there any clubs near this area that aren't too serious, like I said I'm a novice so I don't think that 30k is for me just yet!

    Thanks.


  • #209
    Iwannahurl
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl


    MrTsSnickers wrote: »
    Hi all, I've recently gotten a bike (by recently, I mean yesterday), I can cycle but I'm a novice.

    I know the rules of the road etc but does anyone know of anywhere that I could practice (around the east of the city i.e. Roscam/suburbs i.e. Oranmore) so as to gain a bit of confidence on the road with me rothar without endangering myself or others. I've been going around my estate, which is fine but I have that mastered now and want to push on while i'm motivated.

    Also, are there any clubs near this area that aren't too serious, like I said I'm a novice so I don't think that 30k is for me just yet!

    Thanks.


    Well done.

    First up, the RoTR is less than the whole story, especially in Galway.

    For cycling in the city I would recommend that you get hold of the book Cyclecraft, by the legendary John Franklin. It's available in all branches of Galway County Libraries, afaik, including the three city libraries.

    Members of the Galway Cycling Campaign post in this forum fairly often; they're the ones that know all the ins and outs of the cycling experience in Galway. Here's one such post, earlier in this thread, which also mentions their own Cycle Skills leaflet.

    If you're primarily/also interested in cycling as a sport (30k spins and all that) check out the Sports > Cycling forum on Boards. There are commuter/utility cycling threads in there too.

    There is no dedicated "Active Commuting" forum on Boards yet, but watch this space.

    Best of luck.


  • #210
    galwaycyclist
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,912 ✭✭✭galwaycyclist


    Keith Finnegan show is looking at cycling in the city this morning. They are looking for comments from city cyclists and there will be a studio debate at 11am.


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  • #211
    crusher000
    Registered Users Posts: 649 ✭✭✭crusher000


    Broken glass , broken glass on most of the cycle paths. I have a road bike and try not to eyre the motorists by cyling on the road when a path is provided for me . But the level of glass is shameful.


  • #212
    Iwannahurl
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl


    "Cycle lanes" and to a lesser extent "cycle paths" are collection areas for broken glass and other road debris.

    They're only swept once in a blue moon, so if they're strewn with broken glass I see no reason to use them.

    I passed this spot on the Western Distributor Road recently. The "cycle lane" surface is completely degraded, and the amount of broken glass (due to the placement of the bottle bank and the absence of road maintenance) is staggering.

    To compound the problem, my passage through the roundabouts was blocked by motorised traffic.

    After getting two punctures in quick succession on glass-encrusted "cycle lanes" I put Bontrager 'Hard Case' puncture-resistant tyres on the bike. Doing well so far...


  • #213
    what_traffic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,002 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    Was a good piece - Galway City Council where not very convincing. Was surprised Ciarain Hayes contradicted himself though during the interview. Galway Cycling Campaign member was giving an example in the Strategy of how the document had a specific purpose to build cycle lanes on Threadneedle Road(Where there are two secondary schools and road is wide enough that it does not need cycle lanes) yet they failed to looking at how to get students from the the Knocknacarra area to Threadneedle road. Seems to me they are trying to solve problems that dont actually exisit.


  • #214
    Iwannahurl
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl


    what_traffic wrote: »
    Was a good piece - Galway City Council where not very convincing. Was surprised Ciarain Hayes contradicted himself though during the interview. Galway Cycling Campaign member was giving an example in the Strategy of how the document had a specific purpose to build cycle lanes on Threadneedle Road(Where there are two secondary schools and road is wide enough that it does not need cycle lanes) yet they failed to looking at how to get students from the the Knocknacarra area to Threadneedle road. Seems to me they are trying to solve problems that dont actually exisit.



    I tuned in to hear the GBFM discussion but unfortunately I was interrupted several times.

    The Galway Cycling Campaign's point about Threadneedle Road sounded like it was going to be a well-argued example of the issues, but I didn't get to hear it, or the City Council response.

    The "more cycle lanes" meme is very dominant, however, so I can imagine that some people -- including those who don't or won't cycle regularly -- would regard cycle lanes on Threadneedle Road as A Good Thing.

    My guess would be that the usual motoring free-for-all would apply if cycle lanes were installed without other measures being put in place also, ie they would just be used for parking on.

    The footpath network is much more extensive than the cycling equivalent, including near schools, and they're routinely used as extra road space, so I wouldn't be hopeful that bunging in bits and pieces of cycle "facilities" would make a significant difference. That said, I gather that the Council's apparent motivation for constructing sections of cycle infrastructure here and there is the recurring public demands for such things.

    Either that or else 'somebody' is telling Local Authorities to put in "cycle lanes" when the opportunity arises, regardless of whether the resulting "facilities" have any real meaning in life.


    2011NationalCycletoSchoolandWorkDay1.jpg


    2011NationalCycletoSchoolandWorkDay2.jpg


  • #215
    what_traffic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,002 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    Iwannahurl wrote: »
    I tuned in to hear the GBFM discussion but unfortunately I was interrupted several times.
    Podcast should be online on galwaynews.ie tomorrow.


  • #216
    what_traffic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,002 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    Iwannahurl wrote: »
    The "more cycle lanes" meme is very dominant, however, so I can imagine that some people -- including those who don't or won't cycle regularly -- would regard cycle lanes on Threadneedle Road as A Good Thing.
    .
    ..
    Either that or else 'somebody' is telling Local Authorities to put in "cycle lanes" when the opportunity arises, regardless of whether the resulting "facilities" have any real meaning in life.

    It is - especially from those who as you said - don't cycle regularly. According to Mr Hayes in the debate this is what the public want from his 700 response's to a Survey the Council carried out.
    Strange how they did not carry out a survey regarding the removal of the N6 roundabouts?

    Where is the first picture with cycle lanes taken?


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  • #217
    what_traffic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,002 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    Re the Walking and Cycling Strategy on Galway Bay FM's - Galway Talks Show(The old Keith Finnegan
    Show) today: 10.10.2012.

    Play this using Windows Media Player for example:
    http://www.galwaynews.ie/sites/www.galwaynews.ie/files/wed_10th_.mp3

    It is discussed from:
    1h22.14
    to
    1h40:09 (the end of the show)


  • #218
    Iwannahurl
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl


    what_traffic wrote: »
    It is - especially from those who as you said - don't cycle regularly. According to Mr Hayes in the debate this is what the public want from his 700 response's to a Survey the Council carried out.
    Strange how they did not carry out a survey regarding the removal of the N6 roundabouts?



    Money talks, but it don't sing and dance, and it don't walk (or cycle).

    As I recall the City Council didn't include a question about roundabouts in its survey, but it still got a large number of responses identifying Galway roundabouts as significant barriers to active travel.

    Despite that, apart from the expensive N6 Multi-Modal scheme there is no sign of any action being taken to remove or modify the many other cycle and pedestrian hostile roundabouts. The two monstrosities at either end of the SQR, for example.


  • #219
    Robbo
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 10,571 Mod ✭✭✭✭Robbo


    Just as a thought, given that cycling issues have come to the fore and there appears to be little appetite to deal with them among our elected representatives, is there an opportunity for a Cycling Candidate? People have been elected on narrower platforms before.

    800 first preferences will see you over the line in Galway West and East, Collette Connolly managed to ride the transfer rollercoaster with just 541 first preferences in Galway Central. Even as an independent who is repugnant to all but your own core voters, 1100 will probably see you right. Surely there's a critical mass there in a town that's been relatively kind to the Greens before they proved how cheaply they could be bought.

    ****, if there was a Boards Cycling Candidate put forward, I'd offer my services as poster hanger/consigliere/Malcolm Tucker/pedestrian botherer/eminence grise (delete where applicable).


  • #220
    crusher000
    Registered Users Posts: 649 ✭✭✭crusher000


    Robbo wrote: »
    Just as a thought, given that cycling issues have come to the fore and there appears to be little appetite to deal with them among our elected representatives, is there an opportunity for a Cycling Candidate? People have been elected on narrower platforms before.

    800 first preferences will see you over the line in Galway West and East, Collette Connolly managed to ride the transfer rollercoaster with just 541 first preferences in Galway Central. Even as an independent who is repugnant to all but your own core voters, 1100 will probably see you right. Surely there's a critical mass there in a town that's been relatively kind to the Greens before they proved how cheaply they could be bought.

    ****, if there was a Boards Cycling Candidate put forward, I'd offer my services as poster hanger/consigliere/Malcolm Tucker/pedestrian botherer/eminence grise (delete where applicable).

    Lobby group to lobby our existing Councilors ? But if they'd only listen.


  • #221
    what_traffic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,002 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    Iwannahurl wrote: »
    Money talks, but it don't sing and dance, and it don't walk (or cycle).

    As I recall the City Council didn't include a question about roundabouts in its survey, but it still got a large number of responses identifying Galway roundabouts as significant barriers to active travel.

    Despite that, apart from the expensive N6 Multi-Modal scheme there is no sign of any action being taken to remove or modify the many other cycle and pedestrian hostile roundabouts. The two monstrosities at either end of the SQR, for example.

    You can skew surveys with type of questions asked still interesting that alot of survey respondents felt that Multi Lane Roundabouts where/are a barrier for them if they wished to cycle and walk in the City. Brown(behind UCHG) is planned to be removed as its on the N6/N59. It's last on the list. Dont believe any plans for one at Fort Lorenzo? Have heard city officials mention that they also have "plans" to remove Roundabout at GMIT so perhaps it will happen in the distance future.


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  • #222
    Sponge Bob
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 25,234 ✭✭✭✭Sponge Bob


    The NRA will not pay to remove Fort Lorenzo, Suicide Cross and GMIT, they not being on any N Road.

    Corrib Park could be done before the summer unless they make it controversial like they did with the Menlo Park project. I can see big problems with the old SQR stump leading to the college so maybe Corrib Park will be controversial. It all depends on UCHG agreeing to leave the back gate open ....and they refused to so far.

    Headford Road roundabout will be next but as for the Menlo Park and Corrib Park roundabouts, who knows when they will start.


  • #223
    what_traffic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,002 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    Sponge Bob wrote: »
    The NRA will not pay to remove Fort Lorenzo,Suicide Cross and GMIT, they not being on any N Road.
    True - it would have to be City Council for these 3 to be changed. Cemetry Cross is not that bad - at least vechicles dont have a chance to pick up speed on it; but I would guess that it does have a lot of accidents on it due to its size and volume of traffic on it.


  • #224
    jkforde
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,009 ✭✭✭jkforde


    I listened to the chat on gbfm on the cycle & walk strategy and the most relevant thing said was that a social change of attitude to anything other than car travel is needed and with that an acceptance of the rule of law and common decency, because there's commonly a wilful lack of both in this city. Putting in infrastructure is all well and good but how people use it and maintain it is the bigger, longer social issue we all face.

    🌦️ 6.7kwp, 45°, SSW, mid-Galway 🌦️

    "Since I no longer expect anything from mankind except madness, meanness, and mendacity; egotism, cowardice, and self-delusion, I have stopped being a misanthrope." Irving Layton



  • #225
    Iwannahurl
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl


    There were only two regular cyclists involved in that discussion, ttbomk.

    Although I stand to be corrected, because I know a third attempted a while back to resurrect his bike from the shed only to be told it was beyond redemption... :)


  • #226
    Sniipe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,932 ✭✭✭Sniipe


    I cycle daily on the Quincentenary bridge. Thankfully I've never had a puncture. I use a road bike with kevlar tyres. However I think cycling on it could be the death of me. On wet or icy days when I cycle over the "bumps" area I could easily fall off. Its the exact same width as my tyre and if I hit it at a slight angle or hit the top of the bump I slip a bit which puts me off balance.

    Does anyone else have the same issue on a road bike? The bumps go in the direction of cycling and on the footpath side the are perpendicular. Its safer if I go on the footpath at these points, but with all the walking students its not always possible.


  • #227
    what_traffic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,002 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    Hi Sniipe,

    your better off cycling on the road in frosty/icy conditions on a road bike. Roads are usually salted unlike paths. Have hybrid bike with road wheels/tyres - I avoid cycle paths/lanes in Galway all the time to avoid the glass, grit, dirt, poor surfaces(like you describe) and leaves. Journey times and distances can be longer as a result but far less punctures and better bike handling when using the road.

    what_traffic


  • #228
    antoobrien
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,106 ✭✭✭antoobrien


    Sniipe wrote: »
    Does anyone else have the same issue on a road bike?

    For that very reason I cycle a hybrid with mountain bike tyres, the thin tyres just don't feel stable enough if the surface isn't perfectly smooth.


  • #229
    what_traffic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,002 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    Sniipe wrote: »
    On wet or icy days when I cycle over the "bumps" area I could easily fall off. Its the exact same width as my tyre and if I hit it at a slight angle or hit the top of the bump I slip a bit which puts me off balance.

    Does anyone else have the same issue on a road bike? The bumps go in the direction of cycling and on the footpath side the are perpendicular. Its safer if I go on the footpath at these points, but with all the walking students its not always possible.

    Is this the kind of paving you are talking about?

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=65483221&postcount=146

    Recently installed along the N6 as per: http://www.galwaycity.ie/N6/


  • #230
    snubbleste
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 31,117 ✭✭✭✭snubbleste


    Sniipe wrote: »
    Does anyone else have the same issue on a road bike? The bumps go in the direction of cycling and on the footpath side the are perpendicular. Its safer if I go on the footpath at these points, but with all the walking students its not always possible.
    Yeah I have the same problem. The grooves are roughly the width of the road tyre, much safer to use the footpath at these points.
    You'd think the Council are trying to tell cyclists something! What is the purpose of them?


  • #231
    Sniipe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,932 ✭✭✭Sniipe


    what_traffic wrote: »
    your better off cycling on the road in frosty/icy conditions on a road bike.
    I couldn't imagine cycling on the road section of the bridge. Motorist are crazy during rush hour.
    what_traffic wrote: »
    Is this the kind of paving you are talking about?
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=65483221&postcount=146
    Yes thats what I was on about. Pretty dangerous in my opinion. I am a good cyclist, but this piece worries me when its wet/icy.
    snubbleste wrote: »
    Yeah I have the same problem. The grooves are roughly the width of the road tyre, much safer to use the footpath at these points.
    Yea - I agree, but its not always an option with the volume of students. I always imagine slipping on that part and falling out onto the road and a car hitting me with a load of students right next to the incident because I couldn't go on the footpath.


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  • #232
    Iwannahurl
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl


    Sniipe wrote: »
    I cycle daily on the Quincentenary bridge. Thankfully I've never had a puncture. I use a road bike with kevlar tyres. However I think cycling on it could be the death of me. On wet or icy days when I cycle over the "bumps" area I could easily fall off. Its the exact same width as my tyre and if I hit it at a slight angle or hit the top of the bump I slip a bit which puts me off balance.

    Does anyone else have the same issue on a road bike? The bumps go in the direction of cycling and on the footpath side the are perpendicular. Its safer if I go on the footpath at these points, but with all the walking students its not always possible.



    I absolutely hate cycling over the QB, and I avoid it like the plague. I cycled over it a couple of months ago (west to east) when I was in a hurry and immediately regretted it. The number of 'salmon cyclists' -- many of them not looking where they were going -- was ridiculous.

    May I ask why you use that route?

    Could there be an alternative?


  • #233
    Sniipe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,932 ✭✭✭Sniipe


    Iwannahurl wrote: »
    May I ask why you use that route?

    Could there be an alternative?
    I live on the headford road and I work in Dangan. There is no other route really.

    I'd prefer to be posting right now in "river taxing in the city" :)


  • #234
    what_traffic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,002 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    Sniipe wrote: »
    I live on the headford road and I work in Dangan. There is no other route really.

    I'd prefer to be posting right now in "river taxing in the city" :)

    No easy way of avoiding it here.
    Guess the only option is to use as little of the N6 crap cycle paths as possible. They are installing steps on the north side of the Dyke road onto the N6 and @ NUIG on the Kingfisher side so may eventually be able to cycle down the Dyke road - wheel bike up steps - cross the bridge and the wheel bike down steps into NUIG opposite the Engineering Building and vice versa on the Commute.


  • #235
    Iwannahurl
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl


    Sniipe wrote: »
    I live on the headford road and I work in Dangan. There is no other route really.

    I'd prefer to be posting right now in "river taxing in the city" :)



    I've heard rumours of someone commuting to the University by boat from Annaghdown!


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMbNN2BuWFg


  • #236
    what_traffic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,002 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    Sniipe wrote: »
    Yes thats what I was on about. Pretty dangerous in my opinion. I am a good cyclist, but this piece worries me when its wet/icy.

    Agree - the council have installed a hazard with this new paving for no good reason that I can see.


  • #237
    Mr_A
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 501 ✭✭✭Mr_A


    I'm not familiar with exactly where this paving you speak of is so could be completely off the mark here- but could it be to aid the visually impaired in knowing where to cross?

    That's what I had assumed from where it'd laid in places like the Doughiska Road.


  • #238
    what_traffic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,002 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    Mr_A wrote: »
    I'm not familiar with exactly where this paving you speak of is so could be completely off the mark here- but could it be to aid the visually impaired in knowing where to cross?

    You need to see it Mr A - its not at crossings. Unless there is an expectation from City Hall that visually impaired persons can cross 4 lanes of traffic at these points?


  • #239
    what_traffic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,002 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    Mr_A wrote: »
    I'm not familiar with exactly where this paving you speak of is so could be completely off the mark here- but could it be to aid the visually impaired in knowing where to cross?
    FYI: They have installed this type of paving at the top of the stairwell which provides access down to the Dyke Road.
    https://maps.google.com/?ll=53.282864,-9.058144&spn=0.000003,0.003098&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=53.282864,-9.058144&panoid=aP2U9Igp2f8nnfuU2breCw&cbp=12,190.44,,0,6.61

    Would not cross here in the middle of the day even if I had 20/20 vision.


  • #240
    Mr_A
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 501 ✭✭✭Mr_A


    Oh right. That's what I thought was meant, but I reconsidered as it doesn't seem to make any sense.

    _38552705_dougal_150.jpg

    It's a bit mad Ted.

    Edit: Could it be to tell the visually impaired that the steps are there maybe? On the Doughiska Road it's perpendicular to the road further away from the road edge, but parallel near to it. So the only way it would make any sense would be if this was reversed here. And from posts above I don't think that's the case.


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  • #241
    beardybrewer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,926 ✭✭✭beardybrewer


    Sniipe wrote: »
    On wet or icy days when I cycle over the "bumps" area I could easily fall off

    Get a helmet.


  • #242
    Iwannahurl
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl


    So you can fall off/over/on the hazards safely...;)


  • #243
    Mr_A
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 501 ✭✭✭Mr_A


    If only someone had thought of that before.


  • #244
    at1withmyself
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,545 ✭✭✭at1withmyself


    what_traffic wrote: »
    Is this the kind of paving you are talking about?

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=65483221&postcount=146

    Recently installed along the N6 as per: http://www.galwaycity.ie/N6/

    In my opinion the one pictured is fine and are located around the city, they are 'squared' and wide like in the picture and no problem for bikes. However on the Bridge and a few other locations it seems they were short of these type of slates and used an alternative which is rounded and the spacing much closer, not much more then an inch I'd say, its these ones that are deadly and often catch my wheels.

    I contacted the council after they were installed to express my concern, got a reply as follows:

    Thanks you for your email.

    The slates that you refer to are the cordoury paving, that are used to distinguish the cycle lane from the pesestrian footway for the visually impaired. These are in accordance with national design guidance.

    I asked our resident engineer to examine these furter to your email, and he stated that they have been correctly installed and are the same on both sides of the road. Can I ask if you were cycling on the concrete section or the tarmac section? (The ridges go in different directions on both). Also, what type of bike were you cycling on i.e thin or wide tyres? If you were on the cycle path and the paving caused difficulties we may need to revisit their use.

    Regards,


    I replied but never got a response so now I cycle on the road going over the bridge which is not ideal.


  • #245
    Seaneh
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 18,300 ✭✭✭✭Seaneh


    newkie wrote: »
    Get a helmet.

    Because helmets keep you upright now?


  • #246
    crusher000
    Registered Users Posts: 649 ✭✭✭crusher000


    I've had a few scares on these as well. cycled to work ofr 3 monts of our so called summer and when wt the back of my bike used to slide of them. Clinched buttocks as i approached an day the were wet. I have a road bike. Options are A cycle path and have a near slip. Option B cycle on road and be squezed in by motorists. I go for A all the time.


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  • #247
    _Puma_
    Registered Users Posts: 983 ✭✭✭_Puma_


    Iwannahurl wrote: »
    I've heard rumours of someone commuting to the University by boat from Annaghdown!

    Would have been common before the Curraghline was built, there used to be a ferry, just like the Corrib Princess that would travel daily to Woodquay. I have a boat at Annaghdown and went to college in the University and it always was tempting to try it out. Would probably taken at least an hour, depending on the time of year and water levels on the lake and a decent outboard. I have Kayaked to Woodquay before, took the good part of a day and things got pretty dicey the bottom of the lake as its so exposed.

    Staying on topic I used to cycle over the QB daily and those ridged pavement things alway made me hold on to the handle bars a little tighter going over them! There is a set of them between the start of the actual bridge and the entrance to the student estates with no pedestrian crossing in sight, they just appear out of no where and for no reason.


  • #248
    dastardly00
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,457 ✭✭✭✭dastardly00


    Sniipe wrote: »
    I cycle daily on the Quincentenary bridge. Thankfully I've never had a puncture. I use a road bike with kevlar tyres. However I think cycling on it could be the death of me. On wet or icy days when I cycle over the "bumps" area I could easily fall off. Its the exact same width as my tyre and if I hit it at a slight angle or hit the top of the bump I slip a bit which puts me off balance.

    Does anyone else have the same issue on a road bike? The bumps go in the direction of cycling and on the footpath side the are perpendicular. Its safer if I go on the footpath at these points, but with all the walking students its not always possible.

    I cycle over the Quincentenary bridge daily as well. I have the exact same issues as you OP. Even when it's dry, I hate the 'cordoury paving'!


  • #249
    snubbleste
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 31,117 ✭✭✭✭snubbleste


    The 2011 Census has revealed that usually in Galway:
    104 of 6,326 primary schoolchildren cycle to school
    157 of 4,352 secondary school goers "
    635 of 7,606 third level students cycle to college
    1,435 of 30,967 workers cycle to work

    http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/census/documents/census2011profile10/Profile%2010%20Full%20Document.pdf


  • #250
    dastardly00
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,457 ✭✭✭✭dastardly00


    snubbleste wrote: »
    The 2011 Census has revealed that usually in Galway:
    104 of 6,326 primary schoolchildren cycle to school
    157 of 4,352 secondary school goers "
    635 of 7,606 third level students cycle to college
    1,435 of 30,967 workers cycle to work

    http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/census/documents/census2011profile10/Profile%2010%20Full%20Document.pdf

    I'm very surprised at how low the figures are for secondary school and third level students.


  • #251
    what_traffic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,002 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    Are there really only 7,606 third level students in Galway? Seems very low - would imagine NUIG has more students than that figure alone?


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