any political party making promises for cyclists?

GlennaMaddy

anybody seen any election promises to improve things for us cyclists? must ask the next doorstepper.

L'Enfer du Nord

GlennaMaddy wrote: »

anybody seen any election promises to improve things for us cyclists? must ask the next doorstepper.

Since none have come to my door I sent most of the candidtaes facebook messages - "What are you going to do for cyclists?" That was yesterday, no replies yet not even from the green. Also asked "What are you going to do for people living in rented accommodation?" in an other message, possibly a more difficult question which put them off replying.

Must get that mortgage and car before the next election!

GSF

Well there is Gerry Breen. He has promised to put cyclists back in their box if I'm not mistaken :rolleyes:

tomasrojo

On a more positive (though vague) note from FG:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=70667600&postcount=7009

morana

I didnt want to put up the FG proposals just in case it might get them votes and some cyclists thought I was a supporter !!!

captain P

GSF wrote: »

Well there is Gerry Breen. He has promised to put cyclists back in their box if I'm not mistaken :rolleyes:

I was in Omni shopping centre, Santry with my Mam a few weeks ago. I was wheeling my bike to lock it up and go shopping. Gerry Breen was canvassing and came up to us... He basically turned his back to me and spoke to my Mam.. COMPLETELY ignored me.
I piped up and said "I have a vote too" and he mumbled something along the lines of "oh, yes, do you have a job?" (while looking at my bike), I told him I did, started to ask him a question - then he just shook my Mams hand, and said goodbye .
I assumed he didn't want to get into any questions I might have had about cyclists or wasn't targetting the young(ish) vote etc, didn't know he had been "anti-cyclist" in the past.

The Greens and FG are the only ones I've noticed mention anything to do with cycling but I have yet to be approached by a canvasser (other than Breen).

droidus

Both Breen and Tormey are in my constituency. Now I wont be voting Tory anyway, but if they call round Ill have a few choice words about their attitudes to cyclists.

GlennaMaddy

Had a look at the Greens manifesto last night, as expected they have given 2-3 paragraphs on how they will encourage the uptake of cycling.
I was suprised to see the Labour Party make a mention in theirs...
Cycling and walking will be at the heart of any future sustainable transport network. Labour will provide for contiguous cycling routes for commuters, and safe school cycle routes. The safety needs of cyclists will be taken into account in enhanced road junction design, improved signage and road maintenance. Labour will also introduce legislation to strengthen the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport commuters in the planning process and the transport system.

Nothing specific in the FF manifesto that I could see

GSF

GlennaMaddy wrote: »

Nothing specific in the FF manifesto that I could see

I expect Martin to do his best Chinese accent while announcing it.

In fairness to FG, at least Enda cycles. I'd rather a leader who has been on a bike in the last 30 years than a lot of nice words about improving facilities.

As for Breen I think every major party has its embarrasments. At least if he is in the Dail, he will have to leave the Council and do less harm there

manwithaplan

I hope any party would continue the BTW scheme. I have my eye on a nice training bike for 2015.

tomasrojo

captain P wrote: »

I was in Omni shopping centre, Santry with my Mam a few weeks ago. I was wheeling my bike to lock it up and go shopping. Gerry Breen was canvassing and came up to us... He basically turned his back to me and spoke to my Mam.. COMPLETELY ignored me.
I piped up and said "I have a vote too" and he mumbled something along the lines of "oh, yes, do you have a job?" (while looking at my bike), I told him I did, started to ask him a question - then he just shook my Mams hand, and said goodbye .
I assumed he didn't want to get into any questions I might have had about cyclists or wasn't targetting the young(ish) vote etc, didn't know he had been "anti-cyclist" in the past.

And he's Lord Mayor of Dublin.

droidus

I have a confession to make. I was presenting at a launch of a website I made for a charity group a few weeks back, and Breen was the invited dignitary. I had to smile, make small talk and shake his hands for the photo - it really wasn't the appropriate time or venue to challenge him about his politics and cycling related stupidity.

I still feel dirty.

tomasrojo

droidus wrote: »

I have a confession to make. I was presenting at a launch of a website I made for a charity group a few weeks back, and Breen was the invited dignitary. I had to smile, make small talk and shake his hands for the photo - it really wasn't the appropriate time or venue to challenge him about his politics and cycling related stupidity.

I still feel dirty.

You're quite right. It wasn't the right place. I might have been put in a similar position myself, as I was supposed to be playing classical guitar in an arts festival which he opened. I ended up being bumped anyway, but I wouldn't have had a go either.

droidus

tomasrojo wrote: »

You're quite right. It wasn't the right place. I might have been put in a similar position myself, as I was supposed to be playing classical guitar in an arts festival which he opened. I ended up being bumped anyway, but I wouldn't have had a go either.

I did slow down and extend my speech once I saw him checking his watch though... petty victories are the best kind.

it must be said, I dont think anyone was too impressed with him TBH, it was a very short speech and all very much by rote. Finian McGrath was supposed to come too but was waylaid by urgent Dail votes.

forza_milo

IT 31/01/11

"Enda Kenny has lent his support to plans for a walking and cycling “greenway” on part of the western rail corridor, implicitly ruling out its reinstatement as a railway."

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0131/1224288605586.html

Kintarō Hattori

This Gerry Breen fellow, I've google him but can't find anything he's actually said against cyclists. So what has he said?

Undercover Elephant

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

This Gerry Breen fellow, I've google him but can't find anything he's actually said against cyclists. So what has he said?

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/end-this-madness-now-says-breen-2047942.html

Sorry, should have posted content as well. Thanks Cabaal (#19)

droidus

"Cycling Loolahs' is my favourite quote of his

Cabaal

Undercover Elephant wrote: »

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/end-this-madness-now-says-breen-2047942.html

Just to save peole clicking the link

Cycling 'loolahs' were taking control of the city and should be stopped, Cllr Gerry Breen claimed today.

Cycling extremists had taken centre stage and "their unstated aim seems to be removing all car traffic from the city". Calling the move a health and safety issue was rubbish, he said. "Anything can be pushed under that heading. If we all stayed in bed there would be no car accidents and we'd all die of obesity and boredom," he quipped.

"You need a bit of sense. Hearses would travel faster than that," said Cllr Breen who has pledged to fight to have the decision reversed.

"I am incensed. We have to be sensible as councillors. Sometimes the best thing is to do nothing. If you can't improve something leave it alone."

The Fine Gael group had been unsuccessful in tabling a motion to have the decision overturned but now Cllr Bill Tormey is seeking to have standing orders suspended at the March 1 meeting of the council to reintroduce the motion against the go-slow zone.

He also said that for gardai policing the zone it would be "like shooting fish in a barrel".

- Clodagh Sheehy

Yeah, clearly we should vote for this muppet
:rolleyes::D

Peetrik

The Fis Nua crowd seem to be pro cyclist, well according to their transport blurb

■ Introduce a new cycling framework using the 2009 Draft National Cycle Manual as a basis along with submissions from cycling organisations in Ireland.
■ Encourage cycling and public transport as alternatives to car transport, especially in urban areas.

Was planning to vote for them anyway as I like their views on Irish neutrality and sustainable energy

mgmt

tomasrojo wrote: »

And he's Lord Mayor of Dublin.

Why can't have a Mayor/Political Party as bike enthusiastic as the UK Conservatives Party.



http://www.google.ie/images?rlz=1C1CHNV_enIE405IE405&q=boris%20johnson%20bike&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1366&bih=667

http://www.google.ie/images?um=1&hl=en&rlz=1C1CHNV_enIE405IE405&biw=1366&bih=667&tbs=isch:1&q=david+cameron+bike&revid=1541874360&sa=X&ei=BgFcTbPgF5S0hAfigKGLCQ&ved=0CDEQ1QIoAQ

Doctor Bob

mgmt wrote: »

Why can't have a Mayor/Political Party as bike enthusiastic as the UK Conservatives Party.

That would be the Mayor who came to power on the back of a promise to reduce by ~50% the size of the London Congestion Charge zone (one of the prime reasons for the notable rise in cycling in London in recent years), and the Political Party which has just abolished Cycling England?

A few well chosen pics don't - or shouldn't - distract from the real facts of their regime. Bear this in mind whenever someone points out "but Inda cycles himself".

That's not the type of party I want in charge of my country.

mgmt

Doctor Bob wrote: »

That would be the Mayor who came to power on the back of a promise to reduce by ~50% the size of the London Congestion Charge zone (one of the prime reasons for the notable rise in cycling in London in recent years), and the Political Party which has just abolished Cycling England?

A few well chosen pics don't - or shouldn't - distract from the real facts of their regime. Bear this in mind whenever someone points out "but Inda cycles himself".

That's not the type of party I want in charge of my country.

Cycling England was as useful as the Irish Financial Regulator. Throwing money at farcical organisations does nothing for anyone.

Doctor Bob

I don't want to go too far off topic, but--

mgmt wrote: »

Cycling England was as useful as the Irish Financial Regulator.

In what way?

monkeypants

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

This Gerry Breen fellow, I've google him but can't find anything he's actually said against cyclists. So what has he said?

Google the words Gerry Breen and cyclists. Brings up a boards.ie thread on him. Don't know exactly what medical condition he suffers from, but I hope that there's medication available.

"Cycling extremists!" We should all aspire to this.

Lawdie

Got delivered the Trevor Sargent manifesto and its got a healthy supplement on biking.
As follows;

Helping to improve public transport

Bikes now allowed on trains and DART

More people cycling to work as a result of the cycle to work scheme

€757,000 allocated to Balbriggan and Skerries cycling scheme

Construction commenced on Donabate/Portrane to Malahide section of the Balbriggan to Bray cycle and walkway

Now I've only spoken to this guy once and would say I was not charmed by his mannerism, but hes got enough above to lean towards his manifesto than some of the other political goons. I like the idea of a Balbriggan to Bray cycle route!

superrdave

forza_milo wrote: »

IT 31/01/11

"Enda Kenny has lent his support to plans for a walking and cycling “greenway” on part of the western rail corridor, implicitly ruling out its reinstatement as a railway."

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0131/1224288605586.html

Just right too. West on Track are an absolute joke. Cycleways along canal towpaths (Newry to Portadown, anyone?) and disused rail alignments have been hugely popular all across Europe due in large part to their scenery, lack of traffic, flatness and fact they generally go from one town to another without passing through the greyness of suburbia. A Claremorris to Charlestown link would be great; it could perhaps be part of a signposted Mizen to Malin trail (I know I passed through both towns the last time I did Mizen to Malin), although of course that would require significantly greater investment.