New motorways not so good for cyclists?

GusherING

Now that 300km of dual carriageways have been upgraded to motorway status doesn't this mean that cyclists have lost out on 300km of decent roads to use?

Will this make life harder for anyone here?

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0828/breaking13.htm

Chips Lovell

Doesn't affect me hugely. The only one of them I'd ever use is Ashford to Rathnew and there is a handy enough detour.

I think bikes should be allowed on motorways though. It's mad that we're banned from some of our best stretches of road.

Bunnyhopper

Or they should have mandatory use - where a motorway is provided mechanically propelled vehicles must use it

blorg

Bunnyhopper wrote: »

Or they should have mandatory use - where a motorway is provided mechanically propelled vehicles must use it

This is actually a bit of an issue with the M8 into Cork, it is a toll road so many large trucks and other traffic don't use it and instead use the old N8 (now the R639) which somewhat degrades its pleasantness for cycling on... many drivers still doing over the N road speed limit and passing very close. Generally it has a cyclable hard shoulder but there are places where you have to move into the primary lane!

mmclo

there's another thread on the Outer Ring Road in Dublin, i was on it in the car today and noticed what appears like excellent cycle lanes on some of it, perfectly seperated from the traffic etc. Surely this could be done with motorways relatively easily, particular short streches and the M-50

blorg

Some sections of the M50 actually do have cycle lanes along the supply roads, there is an extent in particular heading from Sandyford that I use when going to club races in Brittas.

Generally though I am not a big fan of seperated cycle lanes and don't use them-junctions generally are an issue.

redmenace1

Not a fan of busy roads unless absolutely necessary, so no, I won't care.

But I do like the idea of mandatory use of Motorways for heavy traffic, but if tolls are involved that won't happen. For example N2 i still crap despite M1 being better.

DePurpereWolf

The m8 is just a joke, you pay 2 euro for a 10 minute drive. I don't mind paying for toll, but why so short. The first time I went over it I was all excited, that changed quickly

All of you are much braver than me, I wouldn't dare go and bike on a highway. i get scared thinking about biking the south link road in cork.

NeilMcEoigheann

it makes no sense that there isn't a cycle lane behind the armco barrier of the motorway. i wouldn't mind having to go off at the exits and round the roundbout at the top to prevent me having to go across the exit ramp.
it makes perfect sense to allow cyclists on these types of cycle lanes because they have little climb and often go quite near where you want to go.

lods

NeilMcEoigheann wrote: »

it makes no sense that there isn't a cycle lane behind the armco barrier of the motorway. i wouldn't mind having to go off at the exits and round the roundbout at the top to prevent me having to go across the exit ramp.
it makes perfect sense to allow cyclists on these types of cycle lanes because they have little climb and often go quite near where you want to go.

Would you be prepared to pay a road tax to allow this to happen?

Chips Lovell

lods wrote: »

Would you be prepared to pay a road tax to allow this to happen?

There's no such thing as road tax.