[Article] Minister urges commuters to try cycling to work

Found the part about applications for putting in of 'cycle-only networks' interesting.

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http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0615/1224248849945_pf.html

Minister urges commuters to try cycling to work

TIM O'BRIEN

Mon, Jun 15, 2009

MINISTER FOR Transport Noel Dempsey yesterday urged commuters to try cycling – and revealed the Government is seeking alternative sources of finance to save up to 10,000 jobs in State road-building projects.

Speaking as he launched National Bike week in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, Mr Dempsey responded to assertions by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association that up to 10,000 road builders face unemployment over the next 12 months, as a result of cuts in national building projects.

The Minister, who joined a crowd of 1,500 people in a family-centred cycle around the park, said he would “be hopeful that the initiative of the Minister for Finance, where he was talking about alternative methods of finance, that we will be able to bring that quickly to Cabinet”.

Already private sector financing has been found for two former public spending projects: the Newlands Cross interchange in Dublin, and improvements to the N11 in Wicklow.

But while he said the Government was keen to secure such alternative sources of funding, he warned “you can’t just keep building roads for the sake of it. From the point of view of the infrastructure programme, if alternative methods of funding can be found, if they are reasonable for the taxpayer, then obviously we will use those and try and maintain as much employment as we possibly can and that would be our aim,” he said.

Mr Dempsey said it was difficult to be definitive on the chances of the Government’s major capital programmes actually going to construction on target, given the fall in the public finances. They were, he said, predicated on a 4 per cent growth rate when the rate this year was more likely to be closer to minus 8 per cent.

He added: “People keep asking me is this going to go ahead, is that going to go ahead – at this stage until we know whether we are going to get alternative sources of finance, I can’t give you any other answer.”

But on the subject of bicycles, Mr Dempsey was more positive. In glorious sunshine he joined children with painted faces, parents on bicycles with tow bars, even a bicycle with an on-board barbecue for a fun cycle to launch National Bike Week, an event which was also raising money for Barnardos.

As he completed his jaunt – on an electrically-assisted bicycle – Mr Dempsey said while cycling in Dublin recently he had experienced first-hand some of the difficulties of disappearing cycle lanes and parking in cycle lanes.

The Minister said €5 million was to be spent this year on eliminating problems with cycle lanes and expanding the network nationally. He said applications were also coming in for the development of cycle-only networks across the country, including one from Kerry for a 40km trail.

The bad news on the day was that the cycle ride failed to live up to its target of a record-breaking 2,000 entrants. But the Minister said the forthcoming An Post Meath Heritage Cycle Tour would take place on Sunday, July 5th, and would offer entrants another chance at the record for the biggest organised cycle.

© 2009 The Irish Times

Gavin

Hmm 40km cycle only trail in Kerry. Sounds like a mtb off road trail! At least he seems to be keen on the cycling what with last years DCC talk

victorcarrera

Dónal wrote: »

The bad news on the day was that the cycle ride failed to live up to its target of a record-breaking 2,000 entrants.
© 2009 The Irish Times

I think the WW200 had 2200+ participants this year.

Disappointed with that article really. Another opportunity missed. Are we any better off after that event and speech? I don't think so.
No mention of the main concern of the majority of cyclists and the very reason many people dont cycle. Safety.
eg Road maintenance, hedge cutting, covert surveillance of how motorists interact with cyclists.

Here is how I would have done it.
1. Move the cycle from the relative safety of the phoenix park on to the streets of Dublin.
2. Have the minister his advisers, RSA, HSA and Garda traffic personnel placed at strategic locations to watch the ensuing fiasco.
3. Produce a no/low cost solution to improve cyclists safety.
4. Implement it.

Here is just one idea. Why do we not have plain clothes gardai on bicycles to observe and prosecute the dangerous/chancer driver type we are all familiar with. These drivers will never take the same chances when they see a uniformed garda cyclist in front of them. My point here is that a uniformed garda cyclist will never experience the same traffic hazzards that us civilians do.

TinyExplosions

victorcarrera wrote: »

I think the WW200 had 2200+ participants this year.

Critical mass in Budapest a couple years ago had 80,000 cyclists at it.

If there's not an official from Guinness there counting, it doesn't go down as a record

Nietzschean

were they not looking for the largest parade rather than a race/sportive/etc... some sort of semantics so they get a record easier? ...though that thing in budapest does sound awefully like some sort of parade(given the dates are known in advance if they wanted a record seems like they could have it?)

ednwireland

anyone ever seen noel dempsey on a bike ? you see wuite a few mp's in london cycling in but very few td's

DePurpereWolf

Great, he's going to cut expenses in the rest of the country except for Dublin city centre and some godforsaken place in Kerry where no one lives or goes to work.

What a deception.

yop

Great timing Must get him to put in a cycle lane from Westport to Castlebar!!!!!

Lumen

ednwireland wrote: »

anyone ever seen noel dempsey on a bike ? you see wuite a few mp's in london cycling in but very few td's

Apparently he did the 10k on Sunday on an "electrically assisted bicycle."

For shame.

Given that the current fashion electing media people, perhaps we should petition Ray D'Arcy to run for office. AFAIK he uses a proper bike.

TinyExplosions

Lumen wrote: »

Apparently he did the 10k on Sunday on an "electrically assisted bicycle."

For shame.

Given that the current fashion electing media people, perhaps we should petition Ray D'Arcy to run for office. AFAIK he uses a proper bike.

There was no way it was 10 k. This is roughly the route, though it did go on one of the walking trails off upper glen road, so is shorter than the one linked, and that's only 7.1k!

Jawgap

ednwireland wrote: »

anyone ever seen noel dempsey on a bike ? you see wuite a few mp's in london cycling in but very few td's

One evening I saw John Gormley slogging it out of the Dail on his bike. I popped up along side him and suggested he just get a tandem and have a Garda cyclist to ferry him around. In fairness, he took it in the the good humour in which it was intended.

Greens aside, I doubt you'll see too many TDs or mayors on bikes - but God knows a lot of them esp Biffo could do with a banging out a few laps of Merrion Square before the Order of Business is called in the Dail!

yop wrote: »

Great timing Must get him to put in a cycle lane from Westport to Castlebar!!!!!

When Bev is the Minister she'll have it sorted - like her Da did with the road! No doubt it'll be gold plated and brushed every hour by a fleet of sweepers!

Lumen wrote: »

Apparently he did the 10k on Sunday on an "electrically assisted bicycle."

For shame.

Given that the current fashion electing media people, perhaps we should petition Ray D'Arcy to run for office. AFAIK he uses a proper bike.

He does. I used to see him coming down George's Street - he got caught by the Guards one morning cycling across the Millenium Bridge. Thankfully the Guard as so busy with him, he missed me come free-wheeling by!

fiacha

Nietzschean wrote: »

were they not looking for the largest parade rather than a race/sportive/etc... some sort of semantics so they get a record easier? ...though that thing in budapest does sound awefully like some sort of parade(given the dates are known in advance if they wanted a record seems like they could have it?)

Yes, I think everyone had to pass through the checkpoint in a single group. They forgot to mention that at the start so everyone just took off.

People seemed to enjoy the event all the same.

Jawgap

TinyExplosions wrote: »

There was no way it was 10 k. This is roughly the route, though it did go on one of the walking trails off upper glen road, so is shorter than the one linked, and that's only 7.1k!

+1.

A good 10k run would be around the perimeter road - that's 9.7km approx

Ghost Rider

The speedbumps might have proved embarassing, though.

Jawgap wrote: »

+1.

A good 10k run would be around the perimeter road - that's 9.7km approx

penexpers

Dónal wrote: »

The bad news on the day was that the cycle ride failed to live up to its target of a record-breaking 2,000 entrants. But the Minister said the forthcoming An Post Meath Heritage Cycle Tour would take place on Sunday, July 5th, and would offer entrants another chance at the record for the biggest organised cycle.

Maybe someone should tell them about the Ring Of Kerry.

Bunnyhopper

victorcarrera wrote: »

My point here is that a uniformed garda cyclist will never experience the same traffic hazzards that us civilians do.

Fair point, and it seems to be one that individual Gardaí are aware of. Whether or not they can do anything along the lines of what you suggest is another thing. The National Bike Week supplement in the Irish Independent (download it here, PDF, 9MB) has an interview (p. 10) with a member of the Garda bike patrol, Garda Sheila White. It includes this exchange:

Have you ever encountered any problems on the bikes - from cars, or other hazards, for example?
Probably because I'm in a Garda uniform I've never had any issues. My work partner cycles to work everyday, and he definitely notices the differences in driver behaviour on the road. Pearse Street is quite dangerous - I do see buses get very close to cyclists.

monument

:rolleyes:

National Bike Week 14 - 21 June 2009

Dempsey Calls for Extra Care on the Roads

Mr Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Transport, today reminded motorists to exercise particular care when sharing the roads with cyclists; not only during the upcoming National Bike Week, but every day of the year.

“National Bike Week and better weather will inevitably encourage more cyclists on to our roads,” said the Minister. “Road safety can be improved by cyclists and motorists alike, adhering to the Rules of the Road. Specifically, cyclists should heed the advice of the Road Safety Authority. That is, by wearing high visibility jackets or vests, by not overtaking on the inside of vehicles turning left, and by wearing approved helmets correctly. Motorists should also take the following simple and common-sense steps:

· Give cyclists adequate room (1.5 metres is recommended) when overtaking them. Cyclists can be thrown off course by sudden gusts of wind or by having to avoid uneven road surfaces, which do not appear in any way significant to a motorist.

· Exercise particular care by checking mirrors regularly, especially when turning left and when pulling away from the kerb. Re-check blind spots.

· If you or your passengers are getting out of the vehicle, check for oncoming cyclists before opening the doors.”

The Minister stressed that road space, except in certain circumstances, is not for the exclusive use of motor vehicles. “Road space is shared between all road users. Cyclists and drivers, must behave in a responsible manner towards each other and with safety as a first requirement. With greater understanding on both sides the roads can be safer for everybody. Share road space safely,” he concluded.

ENDS

Road Safety Authority :rolleyes:

tomasrojo

I really wish they'd begin their safety advice with "not overtaking on the inside of vehicles turning left". It's dozens of times more important than the other two bits of advice.

Chips Lovell

Irish Times wrote:

Mr Dempsey said while cycling in Dublin recently he had experienced first-hand some of the difficulties of disappearing cycle lanes and parking in cycle lanes.

God bless me, but I actually find this somewhat heartening. I know a lot of the Green TDs cycle to work, but it is nice to see the minister for transport actually going out on a bike and seeing what it's like for himself.

Irish Times wrote:

But while he said the Government was keen to secure such alternative sources of funding, he warned “you can’t just keep building roads for the sake of it.

Forget building roads Noel, surely you should know that from your spin around Dublin that a lot of them are in bits. You could start by repairing the ones we have.

Nietzschean

tomasrojo wrote: »

I really wish they'd begin their safety advice with "not overtaking on the inside of vehicles turning left". It's dozens of times more important than the other two bits of advice.

i don't know, that whole thing i honestly have severe issues with, some cars can slow and indicate 100's of m in advance of turning left, and there isn't always space(especially if they stay in the middle while indicating) to go around them.... it becomes a question do you pretty much stop every time a car turns left or guess where they are actually going to go and act accordingly? personally i think the onus should be on the car to check their rear view mirror is clear before turning left, much as they have to do when changing lanes or anything else. Its like making a rule because some drivers have a lack of awareness?

Capt'n Midnight

Jawgap wrote: »

One evening I saw John Gormley slogging it out of the Dail on his bike. I popped up along side him and suggested he just get a tandem and have a Garda cyclist to ferry him around.

LOL

Though you'd have to pity the Guard that gets saddled with Harney.

kennyb3

el tonto wrote: »

Forget building roads Noel, surely you should know that from your spin around Dublin that a lot of them are in bits. You could start by repairing the ones we have.

Exactly i cycle from balbriggan to swords and malahide most weekends via rush and lusk, and the bit after blakes cross must be amongst the worst bit of road in ireland. im always fearful of a blowout and am constantly bunny hopping holes, so how do they expect me/want to encourage me to cycle to work?

penexpers

kennyb3 wrote: »

Exactly i cycle from balbriggan to swords and malahide most weekends via rush and lusk, and the bit after blakes cross must be amongst the worst bit of road in ireland. im always fearful of a blowout and am constantly bunny hopping holes, so how do they expect me/want to encourage me to cycle to work?

I think they are resurfacing that part of the road at the moment?

kennyb3

penexpers wrote: »

I think they are resurfacing that part of the road at the moment?

yeah part of it, but the bit were you come down by the donabate turn off is still atrocious with big cracks in it and this isnt being repaired. it only gets better once ypu pass the roundabout for the dual carriageway and even then that surface isnt great (but is at least bareable)

Jawgap

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

LOL

Though you'd have to pity the Guard that gets saddled with Harney.

No problem, two Guards and this:-

Jawgap

kennyb3 wrote: »

Exactly i cycle from balbriggan to swords and malahide most weekends via rush and lusk, and the bit after blakes cross must be amongst the worst bit of road in ireland. im always fearful of a blowout and am constantly bunny hopping holes, so how do they expect me/want to encourage me to cycle to work?

I was down that way yesterday evening and it was my first time there in a long while - scared the bejaysus out of me.

You've to cycle in the cones with cars trying to edge by and then coming out of the Rush / Lusk turn off was lorry after lorry - not a nice place to be, give me the Quays any day!

tomasrojo

Nietzschean wrote: »

i don't know, that whole thing i honestly have severe issues with, some cars can slow and indicate 100's of m in advance of turning left, and there isn't always space(especially if they stay in the middle while indicating) to go around them.... it becomes a question do you pretty much stop every time a car turns left or guess where they are actually going to go and act accordingly? personally i think the onus should be on the car to check their rear view mirror is clear before turning left, much as they have to do when changing lanes or anything else. Its like making a rule because some drivers have a lack of awareness?

In as much as you're able to, according to my recollection of John Franklin's Cyclecraft, you should merge with the traffic stream as you approach the junction. So that you're neither passing on the left or the right but following traffic through the junction. How easy or difficult it is to do depends on the junction. It's HGVs and buses you really have to watch out for, as I'm sure you already know.

Have a look at that book. It explains it much better than I just did.

billyhead

I cycle this route to work also. The road from Balkes cross is a joke. I must have had 4-5 punctures in the last year. You get debris (pebbles and stonesetc) falling from lorries scattered on the road.

Jawgap wrote: »

I was down that way yesterday evening and it was my first time there in a long while - scared the bejaysus out of me.

You've to cycle in the cones with cars trying to edge by and then coming out of the Rush / Lusk turn off was lorry after lorry - not a nice place to be, give me the Quays any day!