Bus strike dublin city - take care!

jon1981

Lads/ladies don't know about you but it felt like I needed 10 pairs of eyes this morning, it was carnage. Alot of frustrated drivers stuck in jams making rash decisions, jumping into bus lanes and any gap that opens ... take it easy the next day or two.

Jawgap

jon1981 wrote: »

Lads/ladies don't know about you but it felt like I needed 10 pairs of eyes this morning, it was carnage. Alot of frustrated drivers stuck in jams making rash decisions, jumping into bus lanes and any gap that opens ... take it easy the next day or two.

Fian

I was really surprised, didn't see much traffic at all. There was one road backed up from Ranelagh down to Leeson Street, but there is normally a queue there anyway. Was worse than normal. The rest of the roads moved pretty smoothly. I didn't see alot of extra cyclists on that route either.

I suppose my cycle (Dundrum to Merrion Square) runs pretty much along the Luas line so maybe that accounts for it, all along my route I am a relatively short walk from the Luas. Though I imagine it would have been pretty tough to get on a luas in Ranelagh this morning!

jon1981

Pffft!! You get my point!

OK it was far far far busier than normal, but that wouldn't sound dramatic enough for the situation!

retalivity

357. The number of cars i passed between rialto bridge and leeson st bridge this morning. Ive never seen it backed up that far, total gridlock!!

Way more cyclists than usual about too

jon1981

Fian wrote: »

I was really surprised, didn't see much traffic at all. There was one road backed up from Ranelagh down to Leeson Street, but there is normally a queue there anyway. Was worse than normal. The rest of the roads moved pretty smoothly. I didn't see alot of extra cyclists on that route either.

I suppose my cycle (Dundrum to Merrion Square) runs pretty much along the Luas line so maybe that accounts for it, all along my route I am a relatively short walk from the Luas. Though I imagine it would have been pretty tough to get on a luas in Ranelagh this morning!

I come in from Howth road , fairview, amiens St and up the quays so perhaps it was just that route ?! Anyway it was bumper to bumper , I cycle all year round , all weather and not seen it like this in a long time .

crosstownk

I came in from Templeogue Bridge through town to Swords. It was more or less a solid line of traffic all the way to Christchurch. Slow going in places with cars close to the kerb. Dorset St. was no busier than usual but Drumcondra was a bit nuts - especially at the bridge. Plenty of drivers assuming that the bus lanes are fair game.

irishrover99

Nutgrove to Bluebell was very busy. Usually only this bad when we have bad weather. I slowed it down a bit and just took extra caution. Going slowly really lets you see how many people are on their phones while in traffic. If i was bothered getting a bike camera i could start a thread berating drivers 8-) .

Not looking forward to having to drive the wife into the city at 5pm to work. Perhaps ill just drop her to the Luas

sullivlo

It was awful this morning.

Way more cyclists who aren't used to traffic. Way more cars who aren't used to cyclists. Way more pedestrians wandering into the cycle lanes.

And bikes that only ever get used during transport strikes so dodgy brakes and gears.

I'm absolutely dreading the cycle home.

magicbastarder

crosstownk wrote: »

Dorset St. was no busier than usual but Drumcondra was a bit nuts - especially at the bridge.

yep, my wife walked into work - said the traffic down ballymun road and mobhi road, and across to drumcondra was mental, but town itself seemed normal.

sullivlo

magicbastarder wrote: »

yep, my wife walked into work - said the traffic down ballymun road and mobhi road, and across to drumcondra was mental, but town itself seemed normal.

Yes! Mobhi road was chaos!

Leroy42

jon1981 wrote: »

I come in from Howth road , fairview, amiens St and up the quays so perhaps it was just that route ?! Anyway it was bumper to bumper , I cycle all year round , all weather and not seen it like this in a long time .

Funny, I come in pretty much the same route and I didn't notice too much difference. If anything, having no buses frees the bus lanes and avoid the constant stop-start with the buses.

Of course it could be that I am too focused on myself to even care about the rest of the traffic!

Plastik

Bray to D1 via Blackrock didn't seem any busier than usual this morning to me. Traffic was actually substantially lighter than yesterday on the Blackrock bypass and while there were a few extra wobblers around on their christmas bikes, I was expecting far more.

daragh_

Good to see a lot more people taking to the bike this morning. Lot's of huffin' and puffin', squeaky beaters, layers of hi-viz and kids helmets worn at a jaunty angle.

Nearly everyone stopped on red. There was no hand-to-hand combat and the social order didn't break down.

Leroy42

daragh_ wrote: »

Good to see a lot more people taking to the bike this morning. Lot's of huffin' and puffin', squeaky beaters, layers of hi-viz and kids helmets worn at a jaunty angle.

Nearly everyone stopped on red. There was no hand-to-hand combat and the social order didn't break down.

Give it time!!!

SarahS2013

daragh_ wrote: »

Good to see a lot more people taking to the bike this morning. Lot's of huffin' and puffin', squeaky beaters, layers of hi-viz and kids helmets worn at a jaunty angle.

Nearly everyone stopped on red. There was no hand-to-hand combat and the social order didn't break down.

Apart from the usual suspects on Mount St bridge!

Please - cyclists of Mount St bridge, I plead with you, stop trying to run me over when I'm crossing the road on green!!!!

DanDublin1982

My usual route is grand canal to bluebell then inchicore, johns road, north quays. I left home about 20 minutes later than usual and there seemed to be much less traffic than usual around. Could have been that everyone else had just left early but it was one of the most pleasant cycles in that ive had

Bloggsie

sullivlo wrote: »

It was awful this morning.

Way more cyclists who aren't used to traffic. Way more cars who aren't used to cyclists. Way more pedestrians wandering into the cycle lanes.

And bikes that only ever get used during transport strikes so dodgy brakes and gears.

I'm absolutely dreading the cycle home.

i am of the same opinion, stay off the Quays this evening if you can, I dont fancy playing Russian Roulette with some pissed off driver while trying to get on to Parkgate St & into the PP

Hungrycol

Worse than the POB wobblers on Christmas bikes are the super confident GAA shorts wearing speed demons on hybrids weaving through traffic and blasting through all lights :eek:. They're all out today.

joeysoap

Why aren't the bus lanes 'fair game'? If feck all busses are using the bus lanes and theres extra cars on the roads because of that, then logically traffic should move better if all the road was used. Equally that twat Ross could declare the port Tunnel free for duration of bus strike. Time to start negotiating with private operators to take on some routes? (Strike doesn't affect me directly, but I sympathise with commuters)

SarahS2013

I agree joeysoap, but the argument (and not my opinion) is that busses aren't the only services that use the bus lane - i.e. taxis, private bus operators etc so because they aren't exclusively "bus lanes" they're not sitting there empty during the bus strike.

Hungrycol

joeysoap wrote: »

Why aren't the bus lanes 'fair game'? If feck all busses are using the bus lanes and theres extra cars on the roads because of that, then logically traffic should move better if all the road was used. Equally that twat Ross could declare the port Tunnel free for duration of bus strike. Time to start negotiating with private operators to take on some routes? (Strike doesn't affect me directly, but I sympathise with commuters)

Apart from Shane Ross saying because it would be illegal to use the bus lanes I think they're afraid they traffic congestion wouldn't be an issue anymore if they opened up all those extra lanes of road to all.

crosstownk

SarahS2013 wrote: »

I agree joeysoap, but the argument (and not my opinion) is that busses aren't the only services that use the bus lane - i.e. taxis, private bus operators etc so because they aren't exclusively "bus lanes" they're not sitting there empty during the bus strike.

Don't forget that cyclists use them too....................

beauf

joeysoap wrote: »

Why aren't the bus lanes 'fair game'? If feck all busses are using the bus lanes and theres extra cars on the roads because of that, then logically traffic should move better if all the road was used. Equally that twat Ross could declare the port Tunnel free for duration of bus strike. Time to start negotiating with private operators to take on some routes? (Strike doesn't affect me directly, but I sympathise with commuters)

The only reason they are free moving is that cars don't use them. Fill them with cars and they will be as slow as the other lanes.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/record-number-of-cyclists-commute-into-dublin-1.2656933

Also cars can use the tunnel. Its €10. Most probably less than a taxi fare for most people.

average_runner

Hungrycol wrote: »

Apart from Shane Ross saying because it would be illegal to use the bus lanes I think they're afraid they traffic congestion wouldn't be an issue anymore if they opened up all those extra lanes of road to all.

Also because all buses aren't on strike and taxi's use them also

joeysoap

Ok fair points, I know the tunnel is €10 but should it be waived during bus strikes? Maybe cheaper than a taxi but still 2 x €10 a day..... Would it free up much space on the roads if it were 'freed' up?

just been reported - cyclist killed in the city this morning - tragic - RIP


http://www.98fm.com/Cyclist-Killed-in-City-Crash

jon1981

Deleted User wrote: »

just been reported - cyclist killed in the city this morning - tragic - RIP

link?

jon1981

Deleted User wrote: »

just been reported - cyclist killed in the city this morning - tragic - RIP


http://www.98fm.com/Cyclist-Killed-in-City-Crash

that was 2 days go

robyntmorton

[Deleted User] wrote: »

just been reported - cyclist killed in the city this morning - tragic - RIP

Link goes to a story from Tuesday, for Seville Place.

Macy0161

Hungrycol wrote: »

Apart from Shane Ross saying because it would be illegal to use the bus lanes I think they're afraid they traffic congestion wouldn't be an issue anymore if they opened up all those extra lanes of road to all.

Or the fact that there's a number of private and BE buses that use them? One element of mass public transport isn't running, but you'd be feckin things up even more for the non Dublin Bus.

On my route (N11) I'd imagine, for example, the St Kevin's/ Glendalough bus would've done good business today once it was off the mountain this morning (it's already used by a good few from Bray/ Shankill/ Loughlinstown anyway). Using that route are also several BE routes, Wexford Bus, Aircoach, and a number of private operators around UCD.

That's before you get on to other legal users of bus lanes like cyclists and taxis (and emergency services), and other not so legal but blind eye turned such as motorbikes and scooters.

buffalo

joeysoap wrote: »

Ok fair points, I know the tunnel is €10 but should it be waived during bus strikes? Maybe cheaper than a taxi but still 2 x €10 a day..... Would it free up much space on the roads if it were 'freed' up?

Any space freed up for cars is filled by cars until it is no longer free space.

beauf

joeysoap wrote: »

Ok fair points, I know the tunnel is €10 but should it be waived during bus strikes? Maybe cheaper than a taxi but still 2 x €10 a day..... Would it free up much space on the roads if it were 'freed' up?

Unlikely. D.1 is a bottleneck to get to anywhere else. Unless you are going to D.1 or Dublin Port or nearby its hardly worth it.

Most people stick to the same route never changing. Regardless of alternatives.

NeedMoreGears

jon1981 wrote: »

I come in from Howth road , fairview, amiens St and up the quays so perhaps it was just that route ?! Anyway it was bumper to bumper , I cycle all year round , all weather and not seen it like this in a long time .

I heard it was busy along there this morning but strangely the coast from Howth to Alfie Byrne road seemed less busy than usual to me. I had been expecting bumper to bumper - pleasant surprise really.

El Tarangu

joeysoap wrote: »

Ok fair points, I know the tunnel is €10 but should it be waived during bus strikes? Maybe cheaper than a taxi but still 2 x €10 a day..... Would it free up much space on the roads if it were 'freed' up?

All that would achieve would be tailbacks all around the East Link bridge/point depot, as well as all the other approaches to the city centre.

Peterx

jon1981 wrote: »

Lads/ladies don't know about you but it felt like I needed 10 pairs of eyes this morning, it was carnage. Alot of frustrated drivers stuck in jams making rash decisions, jumping into bus lanes and any gap that opens ... take it easy the next day or two.

I was very disappointed with the other people this morning. Just another bog standard commute. No CARnage in sight. disappointing.

seamus

joeysoap wrote: »

Why aren't the bus lanes 'fair game'? If feck all busses are using the bus lanes and theres extra cars on the roads because of that, then logically traffic should move better if all the road was used. Equally that twat Ross could declare the port Tunnel free for duration of bus strike. Time to start negotiating with private operators to take on some routes? (Strike doesn't affect me directly, but I sympathise with commuters)

My understanding about the bus lanes is that there is technically no provision in law to just postpone the operation of bus lanes on a whim. The bus lanes operate according to the hours on the signage unless a official order has been signed suspending the lane.

Red tape, but you can see the issue if Ross was to just declare the bus lanes a free-for-all without any kind of legal backing for it.

Realistically the NTA/NRA should be using these kinds of opportunities to encourage people to experiment with alternate ways of commuting. Tell people to get out on their bikes and give it a go. With no busses operating, today is great time to have a go at cycling into work down the bus lanes.

Things seemed a little busier this morning, a few more rash decisions being made, but most likely people in a rush who didn't realise the traffic would be heavier. I saw waaaay more kids walking to school than usual.

Probably not as bad as I was expecting - with a lot more workplaces being flexible on hours and home working, the ability of DB and other unions to have a major impact has been reduced.

jon1981

Peterx wrote: »

I was very disappointed with the other people this morning. Just another bog standard commute. No CARnage in sight. disappointing.

Pick a more interesting route

I'll upload my youtube footage of my commute...oh wait I'm not a tosser :cool:

jon1981

seamus wrote: »

Realistically the NTA/NRA should be using these kinds of opportunities to encourage people to experiment with alternate ways of commuting. Tell people to get out on their bikes and give it a go. With no busses operating, today is great time to have a go at cycling into work down the bus lanes.

This is interesting. I live about 6-7km from o'connell st on the northside, a stones throw really, which is a commutable by bike distance for most levels of fitness.
. When I do get the bus , I have about 5 bus options and they tend to fill up quickly between my stop and O'Connell st, if 80% of those ppl used a bicycle I reckon we would have major problem with cycling congestion.
you can't win

magicbastarder

Weepsie wrote: »

There are dozens of people in my apartment block, many of whom work in town. None of them bothered to pool.

partly due to sunk cost fallacy, i suspect.
as in 'i've spent all this money on my car and i'll have wasted it if i leave it sitting in the driveway/parking space, and get a lift from a neighbour instead'.

LollipopJimmy

Some loons out there today. The cycle path along the grand canal was treacherous

robyntmorton

robyntmorton wrote: »

Link goes to a story from Tuesday, for Seville Place.

good ....well in that case I'm glad of my mistake and that it wasn't another accident this morning. Apologies;)

P_1

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Some loons out there today. The cycle path along the grand canal was treacherous

When is it not?

LollipopJimmy

P_1 wrote: »

When is it not?

Ah it's normally passable but this morning was a lot worse than usual. Got stuck behind two motorcyclists doing 10/15kph in the cycle lane along two different stretches.

Also some lad gave it all he had to get by me going the hill at clonskeagh, I decided to tuck in behind and took the tow up to the Goat

lawred2

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Ah it's normally passable but this morning was a lot worse than usual. Got stuck behind two motorcyclists doing 10/15kph in the cycle lane along two different stretches.

Also some lad gave it all he had to get by me going the hill at clonskeagh, I decided to tuck in behind and took the tow up to the Goat

yeah you don't exactly sound like captain safety either

LollipopJimmy

lawred2 wrote: »

yeah you don't exactly sound like captain safety either

When somebody gives it beans to get by and hasn't the legs to get away why would I back off? Also I wasn't exactly rubbing tyres with him but just close enough to grab a pull.

Hungrycol

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

When somebody gives it beans to get by and hasn't the legs to get away why would I back off? Also I wasn't exactly rubbing tyres with him but just close enough to grab a pull.

I thought it was just me:"dude if you pass me you better burn me cos this is my route, and I'm the one who does all the burning around here". I win by default if he's a RLJ.

LollipopJimmy

Hungrycol wrote: »

I though it was just me:"dude if you pass me you better burn me cos this is my route, and I'm the one who does all the burning around here". I win by default if he's a RLJ.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not claiming to be a speed demon, I tip along at a handy pace on the way to work but this guy put in an awful struggle and grunt to get by then his legs deserted him. At that point I wasn't going to just pass him again for the sake of it so I took the tow up the hill

Ciaran_B

Crazy number of cars in Crumlin this morning. Clogher Road was stationary from the canal back up to the junction with Sundrive Road - never saw it that busy. Once I got onto the canal it was bumper to bumper there as well. I got lucky at a couple of red lights, they turned green just as I arrived so I could drop the once-a-year cyclists without too much hassle. There was definitely a lot of inexperienced riders out there - totally over-dressed and wobbling about the place. Hopefully they all got into work/school/college safely.

superman28

It is the journey back that everyone should look out for. I think a good amount came into work early today. Very heavy though Fairview towards Connolly station. I saw plenty of cars using the bus lanes,, even the odd kids bike being used. I will be taking it slow with my high viz and lights on going home, taxis are more of a hazard now of course with clear bus lanes.

MB Lacey

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Got stuck behind two motorcyclists doing 10/15kph in the cycle lane along two different stretches.

This is getting to be a pretty common occurance along the Grand canal now. I don't like it.