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Dublin Road, Kilkenny and the new cycle paths...

  • 01-11-2013 7:50pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭


    Just few weeks ago this road looked like:

    https://www.google.ie/maps/preview#!data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-7.221136!3d52.647856!2m2!1f108.79!2f74.71!4f75!2m7!1e1!2m2!1sX7JqEoGY0KNQ_1suXsrEEw!2e0!5m2!1sX7JqEoGY0KNQ_1suXsrEEw!2e0&fid=5

    Today, what a surprise:

    10613993486_7963dfbe95_c.jpg

    I have no problem with the new walking path built on the left (even that I have never seen anybody walking there - the picture was taken today, Friday at 4 PM), however the cycle path :confused:...:

    1. Why has it been built as part of the walking path rather than part of the road by simply painting a line on the tarmac - first of all it would have been a lot, lot cheaper, and secondly and most importantly it would allow cyclists to take the right turn to the industrial estate, safely.

    2. How should you perform the right turn to the industrial estate then? That high curb on your way makes this a very dangerous manoeuvre on that busy road.

    In my view this is a waste of taxpayers money. Thankfully, it is not mandatory to use these paths, so I am going to stay on the road for my own safety and convenience.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 378 ✭✭catastrophy


    Totally agree with you re waste of money, it was the one road which was actually safe to cycle on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,005 ✭✭✭ashleey


    Did they fix the massive potholes though at the turning for vhi?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    ashleey wrote: »
    Did they fix the massive potholes though at the turning for vhi?
    They did some, yes, there was a massive one at the roundabout.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 11,394 Mod ✭✭✭✭Captain Havoc


    There's much similar nonsense on my way home, cycle lanes where you've to give priority to cars pulling out onto the road, why would I cycle in the cycle lane? Does KK coco have a problem accepting bicycles as part of the traffic?

    https://ormondelanguagetours.com

    Walking Tours of Kilkenny in English, French or German.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    There's much similar nonsense on my way home, cycle lanes where you've to give priority to cars pulling out onto the road, why would I cycle in the cycle lane? Does KK coco have a problem accepting bicycles as part of the traffic?
    Sound like they have a problem :mad:.

    Before the place I took the photo, the new cycle lane breaks every 20 or 50m with the yield sign, as there are entrances from garages and business. Do they really have priority over me cycling straight on the "main road"? Madness. These new lanes are very badly designed (were they "designed" at all?, it is doubtful).


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,110 ✭✭✭Skrynesaver


    Seweryn wrote: »
    Sound like they have a problem :mad:.

    Before the place I took the photo, the new cycle lane breaks every 20 or 50m with the yield sign, as there are entrances from garages and business. Do they really have priority over me cycling straight on the "main road"? Madness. These new lanes are very badly designed (were they "designed" at all?, it is doubtful).

    You seem to think that cycle lanes are there for the convenience and safety of cyclists, this is an illusion, they're there to get bikes out of the way of traffic engineers as they drive to work ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl


    People cycling into an industrial estate? Ha ha, good one. ;)

    OP, what happens to the new "cycle path" at this point?


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 11,394 Mod ✭✭✭✭Captain Havoc


    Iwannahurl wrote: »
    People cycling into an industrial estate? Ha ha, good one. ;)

    OP, what happens to the new "cycle path" at this point?

    They spent half a million euro painting two white lines between Kilkenny and Carlow, that's what happened to it.

    https://ormondelanguagetours.com

    Walking Tours of Kilkenny in English, French or German.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    Iwannahurl wrote: »
    People cycling into an industrial estate? Ha ha, good one. ;)
    :confused:

    Industrial estates like that one are places of work for people and those people commute in and out of that place. What is "good one" about it, am I missing something?
    Iwannahurl wrote: »
    OP, what happens to the new "cycle path" at this point?
    I am not sure what is the road layout at this particular spot, as do not pass this place on daily basis, but will check it out next time I am there.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl


    I may have used the wrong smiley. My comment about industrial estates was intended as irony/sarcasm. I suspect many local authority engineers (and/or their consultants) are basically clueless about how to cater for cycle traffic, and when money is sent their way for junction modifications they just bung in whatever the latest official tick-box tells them to. It would never cross their mind to facilitate cyclists wishing to enter an industrial estate, because 'everyone' travels to such places by car, don't they?

    The same nonsense design seems to have been applied on the other side of the main road, and I'll bet they have it set up for cyclists travelling on the "cycle path" to yield to vehicles exiting and entering the side road.

    With regard to the bridge further along, my guess would be that cyclists are just dumped onto the road, or that the narrow path must somehow be shared with pedestrians.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    Iwannahurl wrote: »
    I may have used the wrong smiley. My comment about industrial estates was intended as irony/sarcasm. I suspect many local authority engineers (and/or their consultants) are basically clueless about how to cater for cycle traffic, and when money is sent their way for junction modifications they just bung in whatever the latest official tick-box tells them to. It would never cross their mind to facilitate cyclists wishing to enter an industrial estate, because 'everyone' travels to such places by car, don't they?
    Agree. There is a massive amount of nonsense in these places. But the worst are the industrial units itself and their "facilities" like places to park a bike (non existent?, surely, we all drive :rolleyes:), showers (who would ever need them?), change rooms, lockers (poor people's dream). But at least we have almost endless acres of car parking spaces outside, so every single individual can arrive at work in own car, after travelling a mile or two.
    Iwannahurl wrote: »
    With regard to the bridge further along, my guess would be that cyclists are just dumped onto the road, or that the narrow path must somehow be shared with pedestrians.
    I have the same feeling about that place. Problem is, what can we do to stop this madness? Surely, the driving Ireland will expect cyclists to use these useless paths.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 11,394 Mod ✭✭✭✭Captain Havoc


    Seweryn wrote: »

    I have the same feeling about that place. Problem is, what can we do to stop this madness? Surely, the driving Ireland will expect cyclists to use these useless paths.

    Of course, they pay road tax so they're entitled to be looked after. Maybe we should pay road tax also.

    https://ormondelanguagetours.com

    Walking Tours of Kilkenny in English, French or German.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    Of course, they pay road tax so they're entitled to be looked after.
    To be precise, nobody pays road tax in Ireland. We call it motor tax here to make sure there is no confusion that the money goes towards road maintenance. But, yeah, I know where you are coming from.
    Maybe we should pay road tax also.
    You know what, I wouldn't mind paying it for the bike just for the sake of my mental health, so I wouldn't have to listen any more silly comments from my collogues that I disrupt their journeys while their drive to work on their roads.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,689 ✭✭✭mondeo


    Seweryn wrote: »
    To be precise, nobody pays road tax in Ireland. We call it motor tax here to make sure there is no confusion that the money goes towards road maintenance. But, yeah, I know where you are coming from.


    You know what, I wouldn't mind paying it for the bike just for the sake of my mental health, so I wouldn't have to listen any more silly comments from my collogues that I disrupt their journeys while their drive to work on their roads.

    And how much would you expect to pay for year if bicycle road tax came in?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    mondeo wrote: »
    And how much would you expect to pay for year if bicycle road tax came in?
    I would say a fee of up to about €20 would be acceptable, considering that an electric motorbike is €35 to tax per year. And a single fee per cyclist rather than per each bike.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,689 ✭✭✭mondeo


    Seweryn wrote: »
    I would say a fee of up to about €20 would be acceptable, considering that an electric motorbike is €35 to tax per year. And a single fee per cyclist rather than per each bike.

    €20 would be a reasonable figure.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl


    Seweryn wrote: »
    silly comments from my collogues that I disrupt their journeys while their drive to work on their roads.


    Do they really say such things? It's never been said to me personally, though clearly it's a common enough attitude.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    Iwannahurl wrote: »
    Do they really say such things? It's never been said to me personally, though clearly it's a common enough attitude.
    Well, it happened during a conversation at the lunch break, but even as it was stated as a joke, it comes from somewhere, it is social mentality of our car-centric type culture that we have in this country. We can't change it until we have more people cycling on daily basis.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭humbert


    Similar ones in Dundalk put on a previously wide safe street and when I want to take a right turn I frequently receive vitriolic abuse from drivers. Makes me angry every time I go near them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    Iwannahurl wrote: »
    OP, what happens to the new "cycle path" at this point?
    More less as expected:

    10685965285_2804ab1e0c_c.jpg


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl


    Yes, that would be 21st Century Irish cycling provision alright. Bung in a few metres of impractical "cycle path", making sure to end it where cyclists probably need most protection. Also ensure that cyclists have to yield before rejoining the roadway that they needn't have left in the first place.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 378 ✭✭catastrophy


    Part of me thinks that the problem with those responsible for designing the cycle paths is that they have a conceptualised view of cyclists. They don't differentiate between a modern recreational/sporting/commuting cyclist and those of yesteryear who amble along at pedestrian speed, happy to dismount to facilitate their progress. Not that there is anything wrong with slower paced cyclist but no heed is paid to the fact that even the most humble of road cyclists can average fairly significant speeds and having to weave/jump/hop while cycling is more than a nuisance.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭Qualitymark


    What would worry me about those bicycle paths is that the white line along the kerb - for those without 20-20 vision - disguises the fact that it *is* a kerb. I foresee some nasty accidents as people turn 'across' the white line, slip over the edge and have a devastating crash.

    By the way, @mondeo, if no one has already said this, there is no such thing as 'road tax'; what car, van and truck drivers pay is a carbon tax, based on their pollution.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 11,394 Mod ✭✭✭✭Captain Havoc


    What would worry me about those bicycle paths is that the white line along the kerb - for those without 20-20 vision - disguises the fact that it *is* a kerb. I foresee some nasty accidents as people turn 'across' the white line, slip over the edge and have a devastating crash.

    By the way, @mondeo, if no one has already said this, there is no such thing as 'road tax'; what car, van and truck drivers pay is a carbon tax, based on their pollution.

    It was me that brought up road tax and my tongue was firmly in my cheek.

    https://ormondelanguagetours.com

    Walking Tours of Kilkenny in English, French or German.



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭Qualitymark


    It was me that brought up road tax and my tongue was firmly in my cheek.

    Oops! Apologies!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    Just an update Guys...

    KK Co.Co. have just finished building the cycle paths on the other side of the road. And here it is. I have had the pleasure of passing it for the first time this evening on the way home. However, considering my own safety I decided to stay on the road.

    11195076875_ce70ffec80_c.jpg


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,156 ✭✭✭Iwannahurl




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 434 ✭✭Valentine1


    Seweryn wrote: »
    11195076875_ce70ffec80_c.jpg

    FFS....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,874 ✭✭✭Zyzz


    Were the builders Polish?






    no just me then. :pac:


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,520 ✭✭✭Alek


    Zyzz wrote: »
    Were the builders Polish?

    WTF?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    Zyzz wrote: »
    Were the builders Polish?

    I don't think so. They were on their tea breaks every half an hour.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,141 ✭✭✭Doctor Bob


    Alek wrote: »
    WTF?

    Pole-ish, I'm assuming.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,520 ✭✭✭Alek


    Right, I got the joke now.

    "Was it built by Poles" would have worked better ;-)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    Alek wrote: »
    Right, I got the joke now.

    "Was it built by Poles" would have worked better ;-)
    No, it would not.

    Does it matter what nationality was the person that laid the tarmac?

    The Co. Co. Engineer that signed off the project is responsible for this, not the workers laying the curbs and tarmac.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,520 ✭✭✭Alek


    Seweryn, I assume your'e Polish? Well, I am. And I have no problem with Polish jokes as long as I can recognise them as jokes.

    Otherwise you are 100% correct.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,005 ✭✭✭ashleey


    Look up the Director of Services for Kilkenny Co.Co. John Mulholland is his name. Could be worth sending him that photo. Unless of course the whole objective was a cycle path for the BMX Bandits to practice slalom.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,874 ✭✭✭Zyzz


    Doctor Bob wrote: »
    Pole-ish, I'm assuming.

    We have one on the ball! :cool::D


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