O'Connell St

markpb

Does anyone remember a cycle lane in the middle of O'Connell st shortly after it was done up or is it my imagination? It seems like a much more sensible place than on the left where it conflicts with the bus stops.

lukester

markpb wrote: »

Does anyone remember a cycle lane in the middle of O'Connell st shortly after it was done up or is it my imagination? It seems like a much more sensible place than on the left where it conflicts with the bus stops.

It's your imagination.

But O'Connell St is horrible to cycle- I'd use a parallel road instead. I used to go that way on my commute but ended up using Jervis St.

rflynnr

markpb wrote: »

Does anyone remember a cycle lane in the middle of O'Connell st shortly after it was done up or is it my imagination? It seems like a much more sensible place than on the left where it conflicts with the bus stops.

I remember markings which initially baffled me but which were unquestionably cycle-lane-like in that they were the same approximate width as a cycle lane.

What remains potentially confusing o O'Connell's St is what I can only think was an aesthetically driven decision to mark out grids across the street by dint of using slightly darker grey paving slabs at regular intervals. These give the impression of marking out traffic lanes but - if memory serves - some of those "lanes" are partially on the rasied pedestrian sections of the street.

(Does that make sense?)

DirkVoodoo

My tips for O'Connell street would be:

Don't try and cycle in the left lane (bus lane), buses pull in and out too frequently. If you are quick, hug the left side of the main traffic lane.

Don't power through the lights, pedestrians will cross there regardless of whether or not the green man is doing his thing.

It's not a nice cycle, but if you treat yourself like a car and not a bike, you will fare better.

markpb

rflynnr wrote: »

I remember markings which initially baffled me but which were unquestionably cycle-lane-like in that they were the same approximate width as a cycle lane.

That's what I remember too. I think they were removed after a few months.

The reason I ask is that I think a dedicated bike lane in the centre of the road all the way from Parnell Sq, O'Connell St, O'Connell Bridge and D'Olier St (or even Westmoreland st) would make cycling in the city centre a lot nicer. It could be segregated using the same flappy signs used at the south end of O'Connell St so it would be cheap to construct, safe for cyclists and would keep bikes and buses/delivery trucks apart.

The only major problems I see are the taxi rank on O'Connell St and traffic merging right to left on Parnell sq for a left turn onto Parnell St East.

irishmotorist

I've seen what appears to be a lane on the road but along the inside (central pedestrial aisle). E.g. as you're driving towards Parnell Sq. there is a narrow 'lane' on your right hand side, before the central footpath. It appears to be a lane because there aren't conventional road markings outside the GPO for example, different coloured cobbles/tiles seem to do the job of road lines.

Sorry if the description is a bit off, but my minds eye is refusing to paint the picture fully for me, but there's something there!

Gavin

I always assumed that the markings on the right, northbound on O'C St were for a cycle lane. Never had any problems when sticking to them

emty

Slightly off-topic but I find it strange that they removed a lot of the bike racks on Princess St(beside the GPO) in order to facillitate the new velo scheme.Its getting a lot harder to find a safe parking spot in that general area :mad:.

Trojan

emty wrote: »

Slightly off-topic but I find it strange that they removed a lot of the bike racks on Princess St(beside the GPO) in order to facillitate the new velo scheme.Its getting a lot harder to find a safe parking spot in that general area :mad:.

Don't ever, ever, lock up in Prince's St. It's bike thief heaven: dark, and very quiet - almost zero footfall. Middle of O'Connell St is a hundred times safer even if it feels more exposed.

emty

Trojan wrote: »

Don't ever, ever, lock up in Prince's St. It's bike thief heaven: dark, and very quiet - almost zero footfall. Middle of O'Connell St is a hundred times safer even if it feels more exposed.

Lock bikes there all the time ,often overnight.As safe as anywhere around,imo.

Trojan

We'll agree to disagree so

arybvtcw0eolkf

rflynnr wrote: »

I remember markings which initially baffled me but which were unquestionably cycle-lane-like in that they were the same approximate width as a cycle lane.

What remains potentially confusing o O'Connell's St is what I can only think was an aesthetically driven decision to mark out grids across the street by dint of using slightly darker grey paving slabs at regular intervals. These give the impression of marking out traffic lanes but - if memory serves - some of those "lanes" are partially on the rasied pedestrian sections of the street.

(Does that make sense?)

No.

.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Trojan wrote: »

Don't ever, ever, lock up in Prince's St. It's bike thief heaven: dark, and very quiet - almost zero footfall. Middle of O'Connell St is a hundred times safer even if it feels more exposed.

I've had two motorbikes stolen from there!.

.

Bunnyhopper

Kaden Victorious Daffodil wrote: »

No.

These pics might help clarify a bit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/infomatique/1458740893/sizes/l/
You can see the "grid" on the road itself here, marked out by the paler blocks in the predominantly dark road surface. You can also see the same pattern on the raised pedestrian section in the middle of the road.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/infomatique/1459609546/sizes/l/
In this one the pedestrian section is clearer. Also, towards the right hand edge of the picture you can see a line of paler blocks marking out what might appear to be a narrow cycle lane at the side of the road (between the bus and the kerb of the raised pedestrian island).

Trojan

I don't have any trouble cycling on O'Connell St. Like Dirk, I think it's because I just cycle it like it's a car. If you can get yourself up to 30 km/h in traffic it makes it easier (most drivers don't mind being behind you if you're tipping along, and stopping at lights gets you extra bonus points).

flickerx

Trojan wrote: »

Don't ever, ever, lock up in Prince's St. It's bike thief heaven: dark, and very quiet - almost zero footfall. Middle of O'Connell St is a hundred times safer even if it feels more exposed.

Agreed. Had one stolen there a few years back. Avoid like the plague.