National Cycle Policy Framework

Vélo

I see cyclists won't have to use cycle lanes.

It's in the following
http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/11387-0.pdf

15.4 Mandatory Use Regulation
We will revoke the Statutory Instrument that requires cyclists
to use cycle tracks where they are provided - Road Traffic
(Traffic and Parking) Amendment Regulations, S.I. No. 274 (1998).
This regulation is unsatisfactory for a number of reasons:
(i) it is clear that the cycling infrastructure that has been constructed
to date is often of a poor standard and is poorly maintained, and
cyclists are required to use it;
(ii) it can force cyclists to be on cycle tracks and (when they are planning
on continuing straight ahead) to be on the inside of left-turning
vehicles, including Heavy Goods Vehicles;
(iii) if a group of cyclists (on a weekend cycle for example) is using a road
with an off-road cycle-track alongside it, then they are required to use
it – which is not practicable.

I am a cyclist and I come in peace but what are your opinions on this?

Anan1

I can't see any problem with that? The reasoning appears sound.

peasant

Anan1 wrote: »

I can't see any problem with that? The reasoning appears sound.

You've been in Ireland too long

Obviusly the "sound" thing would have been to provide useable cycle lanes in the first place and not legislate cyclists back on the dangerous road again

Saab Ed

peasant wrote: »

You've been in Ireland too long

Obviusly the "sound" thing would have been to provide useable cycle lanes in the first place and not legislate cyclists back on the dangerous road again

Sur twill be all alright the way it used tabay

The irish way

1) Do it wrong

2) Create 9 study groups

3) Upgrade it wrong

4) Dont enforce new rule

5) Revert to old wrong system.

MadHatter

peasant wrote: »

Obviusly the "sound" thing would have been to provide useable cycle lanes in the first place and not legislate cyclists back on the dangerous road again

Roads are rarely dangerous - it's the road users that cause the danger. And in terms of cycling, the level of danger is greatly exaggerated, usually by people who don't cycle. A little education for all road users (including cyclists) would go a lot way to alleviating the danger - perceived or otherwise.

As a regular cyclist, I welcome the move.

Chips Lovell

As a cyclist I don't find the roads to be dangerous at all. I'd prefer to be there with other vechicular traffic rather than being forced off the road and up onto footpaths and around bus shelters etc.

McSpud

Aquinas73 wrote: »

I am a cyclist and I come in peace but what are your opinions on this?

Can't say for sure yet. We definitely need a new body to report on that report.

Bunnyhopper

McSpud wrote: »

Can't say for sure yet. We definitely need a new body to report on that report.

Well, I wouldn't say "definitely": we probably need a feasibility study to look into the need for a report on the report.

I'm a cyclist and driver, and I think this proposal is a good one, in the context of the overall policy document.

I'd pick up on a couple of things in peasant's point:

"Obviusly the "sound" thing would have been to provide useable cycle lanes in the first place and not legislate cyclists back on the dangerous road again

As has been mentioned, people who don't cycle tend to overestimate the dangers. In reality, the roads aren't that dangerous for sensible cyclists, and as MadHatter says, the problem's usually road users (including cyclists). Educating all road users is a vital part of this.

Also, if we were to have a convenient, well-thought-out system of segregated, optional cycle routes then I dare say most cyclists would use them: statutory compulsion would simply be unnecessary.

The emphasis on encouraging kids to cycle to school has to be good news for motorists. Think how much better the traffic is when the schools are shut, and imagine the benefits of shifting even some of those school-run vehicles off the road and putting the kids on bikes instead.

Tipsy Mac

Before any more money or effort or reports or any other rubbish encouraging people to take to their bikes the Gardaí need to first open their eyes and police the cycle lanes against people parking their cars in them.

McSpud

Bunnyhopper wrote: »

Well, I wouldn't say "definitely": we probably need a feasibility study to look into the need for a report on the report.

My bad. Clearly can't know either way until feasaility report completed.

The roads must be too dangerous otherwise I am just lazy & that cannot be the case. That said the biggest incentive to cycle to work would be a shower in the office.

ChuckCork

To be honest, I think while this is a step in the right direction, the devil will be in the detail and enforcement at the levels required.

For example, its great they want to "Introduce a new approach to the design of urban roads to better recognise the needs of cyclists and pedestrians", but are they going to actually make the road design offices design and maintain roads to be safe for cyclists and pedestrians in the first place?

The recently designed and built example of the N25 around the Jack Lynch tunnel comes to mind, designed for anything BUT cyclists and pedestrians. If you want to go from East Cork to Cork you have to get through this disaster, and it really is taking your life in your own hands. Even walking from Little Island into Cork, which my father-in-law has told me used to be done by many residents at one time, is near impossible now. As for using the tunnel to get to Mahon....that is forbidden, either you go through Cork the long way or hop into your car and drive through the tunnel, which not suprisingly has in a car oriented transport system already achieved is design capacity years ahead of time!

So, are they going to provide the funds to change something like this? Are they going to stop the road design offices from creating them in the first place, and ensure that schemes like these don't go ahead without cycling/pedestrian group input that has to be taken into account like An Bord Pleanala (An Bord Rothar?) is at planning stage?

That many "motorway standard" N-roads are planned now to actually become motorways to avoid development access along them, thereby automatically excluding cyclists from using them, a policy also recently released by Dempsey, suggests there is a long way to go!

ChuckCork

Also, given how much CIE in its Bus Eireann and Irish Rail incarnations hate having bikes go anywhere near their buses and trains, with the commuter trains they've recently ordered not designed for cycle provision, and no space on the inter-city services, how does the minister think he is going to force this semi-state body to comply with his wishes?

I can see a demand for a couple of hundred million coming from them to help them comply...

I don't think the devil is in the detail really, its seeing whether this initiative is a soundbite or something with substance behind it.

Victor

ChuckCork wrote: »

Also, given how much CIE in its Bus Eireann and Irish Rail incarnations hate having bikes go anywhere near their buses and trains, with the commuter trains they've recently ordered not designed for cycle provision, and no space on the inter-city services,

Actually, I've been working on that. http://www.railusers.ie/forum/showthread.php?t=7624

how does the minister think he is going to force this semi-state body to comply with his wishes?

Well, when Irish Rail come looking for money for 500 new DART carraiges, I think they might be persuaded.

ChuckCork

Unless its made law, and I think even the recent EU directive re cycle carriage has an opt out that CIE will claim is a good enough excuse, I can't see they will.

As for the buses, while they allow bikes on, being at the drivers discretion and having to be a folder in a bag makes it expensive and useless. I had the idea of using a folder with the bus, with the hassle involved though I gave up after 1 try and just cycled to work instead for most of a year, only getting the bus when the weather was really bad.

Only 23km each way....I calculate it cost Bus Eireann about €1,500 or so.

Enough for a new bike