Cycling in Dublin newspaper second edition

monument

If I can get it funded, I'm producing a second Cycling in Dublin newspaper covering commuting and utility cycling. More details about the new project is here on fundit.ie and at cyclingindublin.com:

I'm looking for input on the following or on anything you can think of...

• Is there anything which you think it should cover?
  
• Did you have any problems or issues with the first edition?
  
• Is there anywhere you'd like to see it stocked that it was not last time?

Longer potential story list to follow.

The thread about the last year's paper is here and you can view edition one here.

smacl

Best of luck in getting a 2nd edition out, I enjoyed a number of articles from the first one.

monument

Here's the list of potential articles so-far:

• News articles TBC
• Can Dutch-style cycle paths work on Dublin’s quays?
• Greenways and on-road cycle routes: Is there progress?
• Kissing gates: Are they needed?
• On-bike storage: From laptops to shopping
• Guide to rules, safety, riding in the wet, and locking your bike
• Children on board: The options and issues
• Cycling in Dublin: The numbers (infographic)
• Are Dublin’s roundabouts off-putting to would-be cyclists?
• Do 30km/h speed limits work?
• 20 years of the Dublin Cycle Campaign

More details here: http://cyclingindublin.com/2013/04/22/in-print-potential-story-list/

Input on that lists or new ideas will be used to shape what stories get more or less space and prominence.

Pigeon Reaper

Maybe you should include some more positively inclined articles.

How long does it really take to cycle x distance in town compared to cars?

The strange attraction of Howth to cyclists.

The best area for kids to learn cycling in.

I find most media focus on the negative aspects of cycling and whilst it does have some bearing it would be nice to see something a bit more positive. Cyclists already know most of the problems and updates are good but for a widely distributed printed version available to the masses a little propaganda might not be bad.

OssianSmyth

• How to choose a bike to buy.
• Is cycling dangerous? (health benefits vs risks)
• How much does it cost compared to bus/car?
• How to get cycle training from the local authorities
• Where to rent a bike
• Ask the NTA why they won't make the Luas accept bikes on board, when citadis trams in other cities take bikes.
• How to do a full bike tour of Dublin Bay via S2S northside, DART to Monkstown, cycle to Dalkey via Metals, boat to Howth Harbour takes bikes, DART or cycle home.

http://www.dublinbaycruises.com/attractions/

monument

Thanks for the suggestions so-far.

Pigeon Reaper wrote: »

Maybe you should include some more positively inclined articles. ...

I find most media focus on the negative aspects of cycling and whilst it does have some bearing it would be nice to see something a bit more positive. Cyclists already know most of the problems and updates are good but for a widely distributed printed version available to the masses a little propaganda might not be bad.

Looking at my list for this year and I think you're right that the balance of positive cycling stuff isn't right...

Pigeon Reaper wrote: »

How long does it really take to cycle x distance in town compared to cars?

Covered this last year as part of what was in print the "Ten reasons cycling in right for Dublin", but I think it might be a good one to cover again with indicative travel times....

It might work as a graphic showing the outline map of routes between, say the city centre and different suburbs, and suburbs and other key locations such as UCD or DCU and district centres such as Sandyford, and text along side showing the estimated time.

It's on the list now.

Pigeon Reaper wrote: »

The best area for kids to learn cycling in.

It was not on my list earlier but I was thinking of having a short article covering some of the best routes in parks, along the coast and along the city's rivers and canals.... would cover this idea also or what had you in mind?

That's added too now.

OssianSmyth wrote: »

How to choose a bike to buy.

I'll look at including it in the two-page or more guide to rules / safety / cycling in the rain / locking your bike spread.... but I think there may be too much in it already.

OssianSmyth wrote: »

Is cycling dangerous? (health benefits vs risks)

Was in the main feature last year (the 10 reasons one) and in the large health feature. But it could again feature briefly the guide to safety.

OssianSmyth wrote: »

How to get cycle training from the local authorities

You can't look for it at the moment for a local authorities but I should be covering developments in that area in the news section.

OssianSmyth wrote: »

[*]Ask the NTA why they won't make the Luas accept bikes on board, when citadis trams in other cities take bikes.

It seems to be an RPA issue still (safety reasons, they have told me before) but I will put it to the NTA.

OssianSmyth wrote: »

[*]Where to rent a bike...

[*]How to do a full bike tour of Dublin Bay via S2S northside, DART to Monkstown, cycle to Dalkey via Metals, boat to Howth Harbour takes bikes, DART or cycle home.
[/LIST]
http://www.dublinbaycruises.com/attractions/

I should be able to cover both of those in the best off-road cycle route feature -- which looks like it may not be a short feature after all.

Beasty

Monument

There are a lot of talented contributors to this forum. Perhaps some may want to consider contributing articles as well as ideas. This thread is an opportunity to encourage them if it helps. Maybe you could have someone write an article on how cycling has changed their lives, be it healthwise, saving money, getting out to meet people (perhaps even taking it up at a competitive level ) for example

smacl

Maybe even a paragraph or two on that eclectic cycling community that is boards 410

monument

Any volunteers for this idea?... Keeping it commuting related would allow it to fit into the paper best...

Beasty wrote: »

Monument

There are a lot of talented contributors to this forum. Perhaps some may want to consider contributing articles as well as ideas. This thread is an opportunity to encourage them if it helps. Maybe you could have someone write an article on how cycling has changed their lives, be it healthwise, saving money, getting out to meet people (perhaps even taking it up at a competitive level ) for example

I'm also looking for a few parents who cycle with their children -- I'm looking for a mix of diffrent ages and methods.

Pigeon Reaper

give me an article you want and I'll knock one together. Won't win any awards but it might be readable.

smacl

monument wrote: »

I'm also looking for a few parents who cycle with their children -- I'm looking for a mix of diffrent ages and methods.

I cycle at weekends with my younger daughter (9) around the burbs of Ballyboden and in and around Marlay park, albeit complete with hi-viz and helmets. Possibly not what you're after, but more than willing to put a few words if you'd like.

Edit: Pretty recently returned to cycling myself (3 years), and not an expert on the subject by any stretch of the imagination, so it would be from that standpoint.

monument

Anybody want to write about a shorter commute by bike, say under 5km?

Pigeon Reaper wrote: »

give me an article you want and I'll knock one together. Won't win any awards but it might be readable.

Still doing 23km each way? Want to write about your commute? The ups and the downs of a longer than adverage cycling commute (but how it is possable for some/many?) and covering what it generally is like to commute by bike in Dublin. Around 450 to 500 words?

smacl wrote: »

I cycle at weekends with my younger daughter (9) around the burbs of Ballyboden and in and around Marlay park, albeit complete with hi-viz and helmets. Possibly not what you're after, but more than willing to put a few words if you'd like.

Edit: Pretty recently returned to cycling myself (3 years), and not an expert on the subject by any stretch of the imagination, so it would be from that standpoint.

That standpoint would be great -- the way I see it you're an expert returning to cycling.

Do you want to focus on cycling with your daughter? Why you do it? What she thinks about it? What are the roads and drivers like? Etc ...around 450 words and I'll most likely fit it in on the same pages as the main cycling with children article.

While it would be an understatement to say I don't like promotion of gear, I don't think whitewashing is good idea. It would be afterall be your personal experience so if you want to mention that you use helmets and high-vis that's fine...

Wishbone Ash

Pigeon Reaper wrote: »

Maybe you should include some more positively inclined articles.

How long does it really take to cycle x distance in town compared to cars?

The strange attraction of Howth to cyclists.

The best area for kids to learn cycling in.

I find most media focus on the negative aspects of cycling and whilst it does have some bearing it would be nice to see something a bit more positive. Cyclists already know most of the problems and updates are good but for a widely distributed printed version available to the masses a little propaganda might not be bad.

Why would you consider Howth to be a "strange attraction"? I would have thought it's attraction was obvious as the nearest proper climb to the city center. I'd find it far more stranger if cyclists didn't find it attractive.

smacl

monument wrote: »

Do you want to focus on cycling with your daughter? Why you do it? What she thinks about it? What are the roads and drivers like? Etc ...around 450 words and I'll most likely fit it in on the same pages as the main cycling with children article

Getting her POV sounds good. I'm working out of the country for most of the next two weeks so it'll be shortly after that before I get anything back to you. I'll PM you when I've a first draft done.

Pigeon Reaper

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Why would you consider Howth to be a "strange attraction"? I would have thought it's attraction was obvious as the nearest proper climb to the city center. I'd find it far more stranger if cyclists didn't find it attractive.

The attraction of Howth is obvious to cyclists but to non-cyclists it's strange.

monument

The paper is just over 50% funded with 10 days to go:

http://www.fundit.ie/project/cycling-in-dublin-summer-2013

I'm still contacting advertisers but any type of support is needed at this stage and thank you to those who have funded it already!

Crow92

Want to give this a bump, Great cause to give a few euro to helping promote cycling in Dublin. Hope this gets funded!

monument

Doing a survay of Dublin TDs and councilors... What should I ask them?

Thread on C&T -- http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2056960501/1/#post84851680

robertxxx

Can you mention the lack of a much needed cycle lane leading from the Phoenix park to the quays and more important the quays to the park, that is the only part of my journey that makes me nervous and annoyed.

The lack of Tarmac on the royal canal pathway, and those stupid gate things.

monument

robertxxx wrote: »

Can you mention the lack of a much needed cycle lane leading from the Phoenix park to the quays and more important the quays to the park, that is the only part of my journey that makes me nervous and annoyed.

The lack of Tarmac on the royal canal pathway, and those stupid gate things.

Only spotted your post now, but all of those things, besides the lack of tarmac on the Royal, are included. All of the Dublin sections of the Royal is at design or planning stages. That'll take a while, but it will all have a hard surface.

buffalo

Picked up a copy of this today, great piece of work! Particularly liked the exposé of how the ASAI contacted the RSA over cycling matters (which the RSA don't deal with), but not over motoring ones!

monument

If anybody here still has not got a copy and are want to see the paper, here's where you can pick it up:

http://cyclingindublin.com/2013/06/15/cycling-in-dublin-newspaper-is-out-now/

Most supporters should have the paper by now or should expect it in their post boxes tomorrow.

buffalo

I feel like I've been stalking you monument - three times in less than a week. Stephen's Green on Sat, lunchtime cycle today, and then on the way home at Five Lamps!

I've left my copy of the paper in the office for the other cyclists to read. Great work, regret not giving to the kickstarter fund now - definitely next time.

monument

The 'where to find it' list has been updated again:

http://cyclingindublin.com/2013/06/15/cycling-in-dublin-newspaper-is-out-now/

CramCycle

Got a copy at the Cargobike Champs last week, fair play for putting it together, a nice bit of work. I was the guy with the less impressive beard. Did you report that motorbike that ploughed up through the centre of the day out? or do I have you confused with someone else?

monument

CramCycle wrote: »

Got a copy at the Cargobike Champs last week, fair play for putting it together, a nice bit of work. I was the guy with the less impressive beard. Did you report that motorbike that ploughed up through the centre of the day out? or do I have you confused with someone else?

Thanks - I was the guy who chalanged the motorbiker alright, but did not get his number plate down to report him. Somebody else took a pic but it was not too clear.

At that stage of the week -- according to my wife -- I was the guy who needed a hair cut and beard trimmed.