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Pedestrians in Galway

  • 07-10-2010 9:14pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 463 ✭✭


    Are pedestrians in Galway on a death wish? I have grown to detest driving through the city and having to be extra wary in order to dodge people who walk out in front of cars on Eglington Street, at BT's corner, across Eyre Sq etc. The worst ever has to be those who come out of Galway Shopping Centre and walk straight across to the car park without even looking to see if vehicles are coming :mad:
    Pedestrians of all ages are guilty
    Apologies for the rant and if this has been done before but I am fuming after coming the door. I don't want someone's death on my conscience whether they are on a death wish or not :mad:


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,165 ✭✭✭✭brianthebard


    a housemate of mine was saying the same thing the other day, I think its partly an unexpected downside of pedestrianised streets in town, people have a tendency to treat areas in the general vicinity of shop/mainguard street as if they are pedestrianised when they're obviously not.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 946 ✭✭✭Predalien


    I'd agree that a lot of pedestrians do act recklessly about galway, but I walk most places and I've been shocked by the amount of drivers who run red lights particularly at pedestrian crossings. Instead of preparing to stop when they see amber they accelerate to try and beat the light, I was very nearly hit by a car recently having started to cross the road when the green man came on at the junction near the Huntsman.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 463 ✭✭dollybird2


    I tend to drive carefully especially in the city but there appears to be a blatant lack of regard for vehicles. It just worries me that someday I'll hit someone and have that on my conscience.
    Galway is the city of Traffic Lights! There are crossings everywhere. Granted though I have seen a lot of inconsiderate drivers run lights and disregard for pedestrians but surely there is a lot more vulnerability as a pedestrian rather than someone in a vehicle that can kill?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,345 ✭✭✭Dunjohn


    I think the worst spot is the bottom of Eyre Square at the bus station. You gots your two streets of traffic trying to merge into one, your buses requiring every available lane to make the turn, your taxis queuing on the corner itself, and your suicidal pedestrians trying to navigate all three without breaking stride. I've passed through it frequently as a driver and a non-suicidal pedestrian and it's chaos every time. Pedestrians don't wait for the green man, traffic doesn't heed the lights (and often can't even see it, coming from the docks) and the crossing itself is often blocked by taxis and stopped cars.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,165 ✭✭✭✭brianthebard


    Predalien wrote: »
    I'd agree that a lot of pedestrians do act recklessly about galway, but I walk most places and I've been shocked by the amount of drivers who run red lights particularly at pedestrian crossings. Instead of preparing to stop when they see amber they accelerate to try and beat the light, I was very nearly hit by a car recently having started to cross the road when the green man came on at the junction near the Huntsman.

    This is true too, the amount of times people have driven through a zebra crossing when the lights had been red for more than a few seconds is astounding.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,210 ✭✭✭dolphin city


    well cars should not be driving fast in and around the town - it is pedestrianised after all and drivers should be going at a snails pace - but the prefer to excellarate to beat a red light so they can save a second or two.

    But I do have a questions - are bicycles allowed on Shop Street - don't know who many times I have seen people walk up and down Shop Street only to have the fright of their lives when a person on a bike decides to leg it down the town and nearly run them over, and expect people to jump out of their way.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,462 ✭✭✭HardyEustace


    But I do have a questions - are bicycles allowed on Shop Street - don't know who many times I have seen people walk up and down Shop Street only to have the fright of their lives when a person on a bike decides to leg it down the town and nearly run them over, and expect people to jump out of their way.

    No but that doesn't seem to stop people.

    The amount of idiots on bikes on pavements is unbelievable. If you're not competent enough to be in control of a bike on a road, then don't get on the f**king pavement with pedestrians.

    The prom and wolf tone bridge are particular hot spots for idiot cyclists.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 817 ✭✭✭dafunk


    Everyone is guilty. Pedestrians should hve highest priority on our streets like in other European countries and US cities. It's no wonder they step out in the road when there's a shortage of places they can officially cross. They should have right of way to cross the road at EVERY junction like in other cities.

    I can't blame cyclists for cycling on the pavement given the way the majority of Galway people drive. They're just trying to stay alive. In case people haven't noticed there are **** all cycle lanes! Yes, I know there are some on the bridge etc but there should be a cycle lane on every single road the same way there in a footpath.

    I spent ten years cycling in Dublin with a bike as my sole form of transport and I was never as scared on my bike as I have been cycling around Galway. Drivers here are oblivious.

    I'm a driver more than a cyclist or pedestrian these days.


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


    Galway is a very motorist-centric town and I believe pedestrians need to be even more assertive and visible in their movement and confront those who believe that simply by virtue of controlling a steel-cocooned lethal weapon ensures superiority...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,462 ✭✭✭HardyEustace


    dafunk wrote: »
    I can't blame cyclists for cycling on the pavement given the way the majority of Galway people drive. They're just trying to stay alive. In case people haven't noticed there are **** all cycle lanes! Yes, I know there are some on the bridge etc but there should be a cycle lane on every single road the same way there in a footpath.

    Two wrongs don't make a right. If you're not competent enough on a bike to handle cycling on the roads you shouldn't be on the road.

    I've been cycled straight into on the prom while out running by a great, big, idiotic lump. She should not have been on the prom. I still have a scar on my arm from it. If I'd been elderly or infirm there could have been a very serious injury.

    Get off the f**king pavement cyclists, it's for pedestrians.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,673 ✭✭✭s_carnage


    dafunk wrote: »
    Everyone is guilty. Pedestrians should hve highest priority on our streets like in other European countries and US cities. It's no wonder they step out in the road when there's a shortage of places they can officially cross. They should have right of way to cross the road at EVERY junction like in other cities.

    Can't believe this at all. Your telling me that in the US you can just walk across any road and you have the right of way. Isn't the US one of the biggest enforcers of J-walking??

    Don't think the answer is giving pedestrians the right of way at every junction. There are plenty of traffic lights and zebra crossings in the city but some people can't be arsed walking all the way up the road to them. I hold my hand up and say I have to include myself in this category from time to time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,462 ✭✭✭HardyEustace


    There is also the fact that one of the main reasons why the junction of Forster St. and the bottom corner of Eyre Square and the junction at the top of the Square beside Fibber Magees is due to taxis double parking, blocking the junctions and creating chaos.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 817 ✭✭✭dafunk


    s_carnage wrote: »
    Can't believe this at all. Your telling me that in the US you can just walk across any road and you have the right of way. Isn't the US one of the biggest enforcers of J-walking??

    Don't think the answer is giving pedestrians the right of way at every junction. There are plenty of traffic lights and zebra crossings in the city but some people can't be arsed walking all the way up the road to them. I hold my hand up and say I have to include myself in this category from time to time.

    What I mean is that at every set of traffic lights or junction pedestrians have the right of way. Not in all US cities I'm sure but the few that I have been in.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 817 ✭✭✭dafunk


    Two wrongs don't make a right. If you're not competent enough on a bike to handle cycling on the roads you shouldn't be on the road.


    Of course they shouldn't cycle on the pavement. I'm not condoning that. My point is that perhaps if motorists were a little more aware of cyclists (who in most cases can handle a bike perfectly well) or if there was proper cycle lanes then perhaps they wouldn't feel the need to cycle on the pavement.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,210 ✭✭✭dolphin city


    dafunk wrote: »
    Everyone is guilty. Pedestrians should hve highest priority on our streets like in other European countries and US cities. It's no wonder they step out in the road when there's a shortage of places they can officially cross. They should have right of way to cross the road at EVERY junction like in other cities.

    I can't blame cyclists for cycling on the pavement given the way the majority of Galway people drive. They're just trying to stay alive. In case people haven't noticed there are **** all cycle lanes! Yes, I know there are some on the bridge etc but there should be a cycle lane on every single road the same way there in a footpath.

    I spent ten years cycling in Dublin with a bike as my sole form of transport and I was never as scared on my bike as I have been cycling around Galway. Drivers here are oblivious.

    I'm a driver more than a cyclist or pedestrian these days.

    I'm specifically talking about riding bikes on Shop Street - a completely pedestrianised area - some cyclists think they have a right to speed down shop street on their bike and people should move for them. Only last week I saw a woman refusing to get off her bike even tho the pavement was packed - she ended up hitting and old lady with the handle of her bike as she passed - she didn't even stop.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,210 ✭✭✭dolphin city


    dafunk wrote: »
    What I mean is that at every set of traffic lights or junction pedestrians have the right of way. Not in all US cities I'm sure but the few that I have been in.

    they only have a right of way when the pedestrian light turns green - otherwise no car would ever be able to turn a corner.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭lookinbusy


    I find the road that runs by the entrance to GMIT is a bit of a hotspot for reckless pedestrian crossing . Lots of people sauntering accross the road without checking for cars first. Can't remember if there's a level crossing there or not, but if ther's not there should be.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,193 ✭✭✭Wompa1


    dafunk wrote: »
    Not in all US cities I'm sure but the few that I have been in.

    What cities have you been to that had this rule? I've been to a few and haven't come across it. Was't J-Walking illegal here for a short period but never enforced?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 817 ✭✭✭dafunk


    I'm specifically talking about riding bikes on Shop Street - a completely pedestrianised area - some cyclists think they have a right to speed down shop street on their bike and people should move for them. Only last week I saw a woman refusing to get off her bike even tho the pavement was packed - she ended up hitting and old lady with the handle of her bike as she passed - she didn't even stop.

    Well that's not cool, I don't think people should be cycling in pedestrian areas.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 817 ✭✭✭dafunk


    they only have a right of way when the pedestrian light turns green - otherwise no car would ever be able to turn a corner.


    Not necessarily, they don't necessarily have pedestrian lights, pedestrians get right of way with the lights so when the lights go green cars can go striaght but if they are turning left or right they can only go if there are no pedestrians.

    San Francisco is one example I can think of but I've seen it in other cities too.

    It's probably far too progressive and pedestrian friendly for us to introduce in Ireland. :D


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,161 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    dafunk wrote: »
    Not necessarily, they don't necessarily have pedestrian lights, pedestrians get right of way with the lights so when the lights go green cars can go striaght but if they are turning left or right they can only go if there are no pedestrians.

    San Francisco is one example I can think of but I've seen it in other cities too.

    It's probably far too progressive and pedestrian friendly for us to introduce in Ireland. :D

    100% agree. This is a great idea. They use this method over in Germany as well. It also makes juntions far more efficient for all road users because there is less phasing. Why it may not work here is due to traffic law in Ireland - we dont have the same "duty of care" to other road users enshrined within our laws compared to Germany.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,345 ✭✭✭Dunjohn


    That sounds kinda like Poland, the pedestrian lights in places like Warsaw and Krakow go green when the road they cross goes red. This means that the other road's lights are green, including for cars turning onto the road the pedestrians are now crossing.

    Always thought it was a fantastic way to speed pedestrians up, myself.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,848 ✭✭✭?Cee?view


    100% agree. This is a great idea. They use this method over in Germany as well. It also makes juntions far more efficient for all road users because there is less phasing. Why it may not work here is due to traffic law in Ireland - we dont have the same "duty of care" to other road users enshrined within our laws compared to Germany.

    What do you mean we don't have a "duty of care" here?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 222 ✭✭stunt_penguin


    For anyone questioning why a cyclist would *dare* to cycle down Shop St well here's your answer.

    Correct me if I'm wrong but here are the two shortest legitimate, law-abiding, one-way-street-obeying ways of riding a bicycle from Brown Thomas to the end of Mainguard St.

    http://local.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=113180707687172522509.0004921dd4d3b7c32d703&ll=53.272258,-9.050567&spn=0.005575,0.016104&t=h&z=17

    The Cathedral route is 1.1km (that would get you to Dunnes on the Headford Road) and the The Bohermore one is 1.8km- less than the distance from Brown Thomas to Liosbaun Industial estate.

    So excuse the hell out of me if I'm going to inch down Shop St whenever the alternative is a ride up Bohermore or past the cathedral.

    So much for Galway being a bicycle-friendly city.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,848 ✭✭✭?Cee?view



    So excuse the hell out of me if I'm going to inch down Shop St .....

    Fair dues to you if you do "inch down Shop St" but I think the problem is that a lot of your fellow bikers fly down Shop St blatantly disregarding pedestrians.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,161 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    churchview wrote: »
    What do you mean we don't have a "duty of care" here?

    Read the sentence again. It does not say "we don't have a "duty of care" here"
    I wrote "we dont have the same "duty of care" to other road users"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,848 ✭✭✭?Cee?view


    Read the sentence again. Never say "dont"!

    Sorry, still not getting you?

    You said
    we dont have the same "duty of care" to other road users

    Not trying to play word games here; I'm asking a question.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,848 ✭✭✭?Cee?view


    Read the sentence again. It does not say "we don't have a "duty of care" here"
    I wrote "we dont have the same "duty of care" to other road users"

    I think I get you now. You seem to be suggesting that under Irish law there is less of a duty of care to road users than under German law. Is that it? I wouldn't agree.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,161 ✭✭✭what_traffic


    churchview wrote: »
    Sorry, still not getting you?

    You said

    Not trying to play word games here; I'm asking a question.

    OK. Sorry I misinterpreted your query. I will give you an example how we dont adopt the same "duty of care" here compared to Germany or other European countrys.
    I did not pen the following - it was recently sent to me but it outlines the argument I am making on this point.

    In August, the RSA and ESB announced the distribution of 80,000 high viz vests to junior infants nationwide as they started their first days of school
    http://www.rsa.ie/Utility/News/2010/RSA-and-ESB-to-Distribute-80000-High-Visibility-Vests-to-Junior-Infants-Nationwide/

    In addition to encouraging small children to make themselves visible to motorists, the press release contains advice for parents, guardians and teachers on how to teach children to be "streetwise" about road safety how to cross the road where to walk, how to get off the bus.

    We are talking about 4-5 year olds here and the overwhelming message is that it is their responsibility to wear the "right clothes" and to "know the rules". It is for the parents, guardians and teachers to make sure this happens.

    Nowhere is there any suggestion that the rest of the motoring population should watch out for children or take care or modify their behaviour in any way around small children. It is not even suggested that motorists should exercise caution around schoolbuses or even schools. The inference I draw is that, in the official mind, small children effectively use the roads at their own risk. I would further infer that if this is how the RSA see things then it is likely that this is how our national police service also see things.

    Bear in mind also that children going to school are not just children but are also fulfilling an obligation imposed on them by the state - they have no choice - unlike the motorists who they share the roads with.


    What do you think? I am not against what the RSA is saying in the above link - rather what they ommitted to say.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 222 ✭✭stunt_penguin


    churchview wrote: »
    Fair dues to you if you do "inch down Shop St" but I think the problem is that a lot of your fellow bikers fly down Shop St blatantly disregarding pedestrians.

    I've a great story on this- I was waiting in traffic on Eglinton St and just starting to move foward when I had a well turned-out lady biker switch in front of me. Now- when I'm in traffic I act like I'm a big 4-door car;
    that is to say I don't squeeze in between rows of traffic, I don't under or overtake, I don't take advantage of the fact I can squeeze anwyhere because squeezing will get you *squished*.

    So I turn left onto Shop St, at which point I go from Merc to lady-with-a-pushchair. Pedestrian pace, no weaving, no brushing past shop entrances (instant bike-pedestrian interface opportunity). Come to a complete stop whenever things get blocked.

    I come along side the lady who cut me off and really calmly say 'hey that wasn't too safe- you cut me off there, it's a good way to get hurt' and I get an instant, vicious FUC*OFF from this lady who wouldn't look out of place behind the wheel of her wealthy banker husband's merc- the type who arranges morning tea, wears a bonnet to church ever sunday morning and who irons her goddamned pyjamas. Cute helmet, flawless magenta cycling jacket, neat satchel on the pannier.

    This lady then proceeds to do EEEEEEVERYTHING I don't on Shop st- she weaves, skims through the empty space next to shop entrances, dodges 4 year olds and buskers, *the works*. I keep pace by doing my mum/buggy behaviour, and end up catching up with her at The Dew Drop. I'm back in Merc Mode and she's still undertaking traffic. We both end up going down Dominick St , which is jammed but she insists on scraping along. As soon as things start moving she gets stuck behind a car that is pulling out and as I follow the traffic flow she then shouts something unintelligible at me as I breeze past her and indicate right at Monroes.

    tl;dr: dicking around in pedestrianised areas on the road doesn't necessarily get you there any faster, but might see you in court or in hospital.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,345 ✭✭✭Dunjohn


    For anyone questioning why a cyclist would *dare* to cycle down Shop St well here's your answer.

    Correct me if I'm wrong but here are the two shortest legitimate, law-abiding, one-way-street-obeying ways of riding a bicycle from Brown Thomas to the end of Mainguard St.

    http://local.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=113180707687172522509.0004921dd4d3b7c32d703&ll=53.272258,-9.050567&spn=0.005575,0.016104&t=h&z=17

    The Cathedral route is 1.1km (that would get you to Dunnes on the Headford Road) and the The Bohermore one is 1.8km- less than the distance from Brown Thomas to Liosbaun Industial estate.

    So excuse the hell out of me if I'm going to inch down Shop St whenever the alternative is a ride up Bohermore or past the cathedral.

    So much for Galway being a bicycle-friendly city.

    You could get off the bike and wheel it down Shop Street like you're supposed to.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 222 ✭✭stunt_penguin


    That's even *more* dangerous- I have less control doing that than I do riding the thing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 463 ✭✭dollybird2


    There are a lot of cyclists in Galway, well at least a lot on my route into work. Agree that Galway isn't a cyclist friendly city - no cycle lanes that I am aware of. I have respect for a cyclist who obeys the rules of the road but in fairness the majority of them just go like the clappers. When on a bike you form a part of traffic on the roads - meaning you obey the rules of the road. I have seen so many cyclists ignore red lights etc, it's shocking.

    The system whereby the pedestrian has right of way - this is installed in Vegas and works well with the thousands of tourists who don't 100% know where they are going there.

    Again tonight it was like a game of dodgeball in Galway. Seriously.... if you don't have right of way as a pedestrian than be aware that there are vehicles on the road!! It's not rocket science.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14 mrsmidas


    Set up a flash mob on Shop Street that activates when a cyclist goes by. Fifty people shouting 'off yer bike, off yer bike' should do the trick!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 50 ✭✭JJRocket


    Since Burkes Tuam buses moved to the Foster Court Hill, Iv noticed in the mornings that all the passengers come off the bus and stroll across the 2/3 lanes without even looking to see if there are cars! Some cars go flying down that hill! Hopefully it will change when the bus lane gets finished because its such a dangerous spot for them to be crossing.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 174 ✭✭encyclopedia


    For anyone questioning why a cyclist would *dare* to cycle down Shop St well here's your answer.

    Correct me if I'm wrong but here are the two shortest legitimate, law-abiding, one-way-street-obeying ways of riding a bicycle from Brown Thomas to the end of Mainguard St.

    http://local.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=113180707687172522509.0004921dd4d3b7c32d703&ll=53.272258,-9.050567&spn=0.005575,0.016104&t=h&z=17

    The Cathedral route is 1.1km (that would get you to Dunnes on the Headford Road) and the The Bohermore one is 1.8km- less than the distance from Brown Thomas to Liosbaun Industial estate.

    So excuse the hell out of me if I'm going to inch down Shop St whenever the alternative is a ride up Bohermore or past the cathedral.

    So much for Galway being a bicycle-friendly city.
    I actually have no problem with cyclists going through shop street as long as they are considerate to pedestrians although there are two alternative routes cyclists can take to get from mainguard street to Browne Thomas. It is possible to go down lombard street, past CP's onto Mary Street and then up Eglinton Street, the second alternative would be to go through Bowling Green onto Mary Street and then up Eglinton Street, its only an extra 150m to taking the illegal route through Shop Street


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 762 ✭✭✭irisheddie85


    I actually have no problem with cyclists going through shop street as long as they are considerate to pedestrians although there are two alternative routes cyclists can take to get from mainguard street to Browne Thomas. It is possible to go down lombard street, past CP's onto Mary Street and then up Eglinton Street, the second alternative would be to go through Bowling Green onto Mary Street and then up Eglinton Street, its only an extra 150m to taking the illegal route through Shop Street


    he wanted to get the other way. Which is the route he said or wrong way on one way streets


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,371 ✭✭✭✭Zillah


    I won't cycle on the path if you make roads that are wide enough to fit both me and the car passing me. Because there are plenty of roads where my choices are to cycle on the path or be crushed to death. So you can rant and rave all you like about cyclists breaking the rules but I'm not going under the wheels of a delivery van to please you.

    Yes, I cycle down shop st, no, I don't go fast or expect people to get out of my way.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 222 ✭✭stunt_penguin


    I actually have no problem with cyclists going through shop street as long as they are considerate to pedestrians although there are two alternative routes cyclists can take to get from mainguard street to Browne Thomas. It is possible to go down lombard street, past CP's onto Mary Street and then up Eglinton Street, the second alternative would be to go through Bowling Green onto Mary Street and then up Eglinton Street, its only an extra 150m to taking the illegal route through Shop Street

    Wrong- lombard street is one-way. Next suggestion please.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,644 ✭✭✭Asmodean


    I have to admit that I'm living in Galway for over 5 years now and it is the worst city I've ever been in for drivers, half of ye can't even use roundabouts! I don't know how many times I've nearly been killed crossing the Bodkin roundabout because drivers don't even bother indicating that they are turning off the headford road and heading across the quincentennial bridge.
    Another major gripe is the ped crossing outside Dunnes where that lady was knocked down a few weeks ago. The sheer amount of times that morons have run the red light there due to the fact that they are either on their mobile or just plain not paying attention. Its crazy!
    It's not all the pedestrians fault, admittedly there are some idiots out there that run into oncoming traffic but then there are also very careful pedestrians like myself who are almost killed due to very ignorant drivers not using roundabouts properly or failing to pay attention to crossings.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,696 ✭✭✭BrokenMan


    For anyone questioning why a cyclist would *dare* to cycle down Shop St well here's your answer.

    Correct me if I'm wrong but here are the two shortest legitimate, law-abiding, one-way-street-obeying ways of riding a bicycle from Brown Thomas to the end of Mainguard St.

    http://local.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=113180707687172522509.0004921dd4d3b7c32d703&ll=53.272258,-9.050567&spn=0.005575,0.016104&t=h&z=17

    The Cathedral route is 1.1km (that would get you to Dunnes on the Headford Road) and the The Bohermore one is 1.8km- less than the distance from Brown Thomas to Liosbaun Industial estate.

    So excuse the hell out of me if I'm going to inch down Shop St whenever the alternative is a ride up Bohermore or past the cathedral.

    So much for Galway being a bicycle-friendly city.

    Ok so by your logic I should be allowed ride my motor bike down shop street as well beacuse I don't want to follow the rules either.

    Or maybe we should be allowed drive our cars the wron way on one way streets becuase it's the shortest route for us.

    Its a pedestrianised area keep off it on your bike.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,124 ✭✭✭Amhran Nua


    Meh, medieval city meets modern traffic. The centre was never designed for cars, of course you have pedestrians spilling from too-narrow paths onto too-narrow roads, it will probably all end up being pedestrianised. Areas on the outer fringes of Knocknacarra and Briarhill are much better.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,292 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    s_carnage wrote: »
    Don't think the answer is giving pedestrians the right of way at every junction. There are plenty of traffic lights and zebra crossings in the city but some people can't be arsed walking all the way up the road to them. I hold my hand up and say I have to include myself in this category from time to time.

    Rubbish!

    Tell me where there's one zebra crossing in the city centre, outside of the car-parks at Tesco and Dunnes on the Headford Rd.

    According you your logic, pedestrians could cross the road at the top of Eyre Square, and then would have to go all the way along Eglington and St Francis Sts to the Town Hall before being able to cross again ... no mention of how they'd get across the side streets along the way.

    And don't get me started on the death-trap intersection outside the cathedral - am delighted to see them working on in in recent weeks, looks like there are a badly needed set of lights going in.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,462 ✭✭✭HardyEustace


    Amhran Nua wrote: »
    Meh, medieval city meets modern traffic. The centre was never designed for cars, of course you have pedestrians spilling from too-narrow paths onto too-narrow roads, it will probably all end up being pedestrianised. Areas on the outer fringes of Knocknacarra and Briarhill are much better.

    You've obviously never seen the utterly rubbish "cycle lanes" (and I use the term in the loosest possible sense) installed on the Doughiska road. I doubt the person that designed has ever seen a bicycle. They're pants.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,210 ✭✭✭dolphin city


    For anyone questioning why a cyclist would *dare* to cycle down Shop St well here's your answer.

    Correct me if I'm wrong but here are the two shortest legitimate, law-abiding, one-way-street-obeying ways of riding a bicycle from Brown Thomas to the end of Mainguard St.

    http://local.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=113180707687172522509.0004921dd4d3b7c32d703&ll=53.272258,-9.050567&spn=0.005575,0.016104&t=h&z=17

    The Cathedral route is 1.1km (that would get you to Dunnes on the Headford Road) and the The Bohermore one is 1.8km- less than the distance from Brown Thomas to Liosbaun Industial estate.

    So excuse the hell out of me if I'm going to inch down Shop St whenever the alternative is a ride up Bohermore or past the cathedral.

    So much for Galway being a bicycle-friendly city.

    YOU might be a careful cyclist but I have to say your cycling comrades on shop street need a lot of teaching - it is NOT COOL to fly down a pedestrianised area where there is a congestion of people, small children and elderly. Cyclists MUST obey the rules and have a duty of care also - they are not exempt.

    its not the pedestrians fault that it takes longer to cycle round shop street than on it - you ARE on a bike after all. So are you saying that because the route of shop street is shorter you have you can cycle in a pedestrianised area, and pedestrians have to take their lives in their hands with the speed of some cyclists in an area where they shouldn't be cycling at all - and you are defending this - you are not helping your cause at all. Cyclists should stay on the legal routes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,462 ✭✭✭HardyEustace


    JJRocket wrote: »
    Since Burkes Tuam buses moved to the Foster Court Hill, Iv noticed in the mornings that all the passengers come off the bus and stroll across the 2/3 lanes without even looking to see if there are cars! Some cars go flying down that hill! Hopefully it will change when the bus lane gets finished because its such a dangerous spot for them to be crossing.

    Actually was going to post about that. Haven't they just spent a fortune building a new bus terminal? Who in their infinite wisdom decided it was a fabulous place for enormous buses to park? It's a very heavily used thoroughfare. It is an absolute nightmare trying to negotiate around buses when you're driving down there.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,210 ✭✭✭dolphin city


    That's even *more* dangerous- I have less control doing that than I do riding the thing.

    why? if you cannot push a bike beside you down a pedestrianised area then maybe you shouldn't have a bike at all.


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