Dundalk Bike Lanes...

Morgan

From Broadsheet.ie

What on earth is going on here?


http://www.broadsheet.ie/2012/07/12/meanwhile-in-dundalk/

buffalo

Just been posted in the Bandwagon



From Facebook:

The Bent Pole which into which a Car Ploughed into this morning... 4th of July 2012..The Car was Wrecked and a Woman was inches from being Knocked Down as she went to Cross over. I Hope the Driver is Ok. as he seemed to be in a State of Shock. Also the Pole where I took the photo from was also hit by another driver this morning But will the People concerned Listen? The Pole stands practically in the middle of the road.A Disgrace!!!

DirkVoodoo

Can't understand how people are hitting the pole. You have to turn right, across traffic, so unless you just aren't paying attention or really jamming on the accelerator, how do you hit it?

Makes me wonder sometimes about who is allowed behind the wheel of a car.

Dermot Illogical

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Makes me wonder sometimes about who is allowed behind the wheel of a car.

Anyone is allowed behind the wheel. It's de facto a right as opposed to a privilege. As a result we have laws and design which attempt to pander to the lowest common denominator behind the wheel, with often strange results.

buffalo

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Can't understand how people are hitting the pole. You have to turn right, across traffic, so unless you just aren't paying attention or really jamming on the accelerator, how do you hit it?

Makes me wonder sometimes about who is allowed behind the wheel of a car.

Is there a 'no left turn' there? Otherwise if you weren't paying close attention/on the phone/checking out hot smoking blondes outside the pub, and following the kerb around the corner at speed - surprise segregated cycle path with pole!

Beasty

buffalo wrote: »

if you weren't paying close attention/on the phone/checking out hot smoking blondes outside the pub, and following the kerb around the corner at speed - surprise segregated cycle path with pole!

That's what I would guess has happened. Might be there or thereabouts this evening. Could give it a try and (hopefully!) report back tomorrow

macadam

The new cycle lanes in Dundalk are treacherous they have the lanes on the inside of parked cars where drivers can't see the cyclist who soon runs out of cycle lane and has to emerge with caution to moving traffic the crossing above has everyone baffled complete utter waste of money
But at least the northern contractors are happy

Iwannahurl

IIRC cycling advocates in Dundalk have long been campaigning for -- yes, you've guessed it -- More Cycle Lanes.

Bingo! Be careful what you wish for...

Were they successful in their €28 million Smarter Travel bid?

monument

Morgan wrote: »

From Broadsheet.ie

What on earth is going on here?


http://www.broadsheet.ie/2012/07/12/meanwhile-in-dundalk/

I'd bet €50 that the junction will be traffic light controlled. What exactly is the problem?

Besides the poor surface on one of the pics and councils not keeping barriers in places while works are unfinished, I'm not sure what's wrong in the pics.

CarrickMcJoe

buffalo wrote: »

Is there a 'no left turn' there? Otherwise if you weren't paying close attention/on the phone/checking out hot smoking blondes outside the pub, and following the kerb around the corner at speed - surprise segregated cycle path with pole!

There is a left turn there, and you should see the operation that takes place with delivery lorries trying to negotiate that corner.

Cycle lanes are extremely dangerous, gathering all the dirt and glass at the moment. They seem to be making it up as they go.

Oil deliverys have to hold up traffic as there is nowhere to pull in safely.

Royal Irish

I'd say someone with a bit of pull in the town council or even with a TD, got a clip from a cyclist or a cyclist with the above mentioned pull, got a clip from a car.

monument

CarrickMcJoe wrote: »

Cycle lanes are extremely dangerous, gathering all the dirt and glass at the moment.

Please explain how they are extremely dangerous?

CarrickMcJoe wrote: »

They seem to be making it up as they go.

How so?

AltAccount

monument wrote: »

I'd bet €50 that the junction will be traffic light controlled. What exactly is the problem?

Besides the poor surface on one of the pics and councils not keeping barriers in places while works are unfinished, I'm not sure what's wrong in the pics.

It's a bit stupid putting the manhole covers exactly at the points where you'll be changing direction.

monument

AltAccount wrote: »

It's a bit stupid putting the manhole covers exactly at the points where you'll be changing direction.

It sure is.

But cyclists can just go around them with ease -- the traffic light sequence likely includes an all-green for cyclists only which would make this easy.

SSCorn

The locals are frothing at the gob over it:
http://www.facebook.com/ReviewDundalkCycleLanes
The sensible thing to do would be to wait til its finished and bedded in before passing judgement.

But I wouldn't get my hopes up, giving Ireland's terrible record with bike lanes. And a DoT who seem to view them as excuses to built anything to generate short-term work:
“This investment recognises the overriding need for employment generation given the current economic situation..."
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0825/1224302931608.html

Doctor Bob

monument wrote: »

I'd bet €50 that the junction will be traffic light controlled. What exactly is the problem?

Given the presence of traffic light poles in the picture, currently hooded in orange, I politely decline your invitation to a wager.

AltAccount wrote: »

It's a bit stupid putting the manhole covers exactly at the points where you'll be changing direction.

Agreed in principle, but weren't the manhole covers there first? It's a standard failing in Irish cycle lane design- ironwork is never relocated. Even on the 'premium' route in Dublin, the generally pristine surface is liberally dotted with pre-existing manhole covers and eircom hatches.

CarrickMcJoe wrote: »

Oil deliverys have to hold up traffic as there is nowhere to pull in safely.

There would be plenty of space if the right side kerb weren't full of parked cars. But of course, in this country parked cars are more sacrosanct than National Monuments. :rolleyes:

macadam

A whole lot more on this here,
https://www.facebook.com/ReviewDundalkCycleLanes