Dublin City and Greater area – Danger points

whysomanyhills

Hi All,

I’m not sure if this has been done before on this forum but from your own personal experience what is the most dangerous stretch of road you must negotiate on your commute/general cycle in and around the greater Dublin area.

For reference I’ve been cycling in and around Dublin city and the greater area since the 90’s. I’ve lived and cycled on both sides of the city.

The reason I’m asking is I’m comfortable and feel safe to a general degree on pretty much every road in Dublin I use (provided your switched on) but the only place I have a genuine fear is Victoria Quay outside the Guinness Brewery when trying to negotiate the 4 lanes to get to the Phoneix Park/Chapelizod due to intermittent aggressive driver behavior.

For the record a large majority of drivers on this stretch or road are patient and understanding but I’ve had a number of close passes/tailgating incidents generally from “professional drivers” (not Dublin Bus btw).

If there is enough feedback it may be useful to the various cycle advocacy groups in operation for statistical purposes in terms of danger points from cyclists of all levels.

Thanks

ED E

Ringsend/Approach to Eastlink. Disaster.

bilbot79

whysomanyhills wrote: »

Hi All,

I’m not sure if this has been done before on this forum but from your own personal experience what is the most dangerous stretch of road you must negotiate on your commute/general cycle in and around the greater Dublin area.

For reference I’ve been cycling in and around Dublin city and the greater area since the 90’s. I’ve lived and cycled on both sides of the city.

The reason I’m asking is I’m comfortable and feel safe to a general degree on pretty much every road in Dublin I use (provided your switched on) but the only place I have a genuine fear is Victoria Quay outside the Guinness Brewery when trying to negotiate the 4 lanes to get to the Phoneix Park/Chapelizod due to intermittent aggressive driver behavior.

For the record a large majority of drivers on this stretch or road are patient and understanding but I’ve had a number of close passes/tailgating incidents generally from “professional drivers” (not Dublin Bus btw).

If there is enough feedback it may be useful to the various cycle advocacy groups in operation for statistical purposes in terms of danger points from cyclists of all levels.

Thanks

If you start that navigation on the left hand side of the road and attempt to switch to the right hand side in full traffic, it's done at your own peril.

I rarely switch. Only when traffic is low/clear, otherwise I stick to the left until traffic lights or start on the right and stay there till the end

ted1

ED E wrote: »

Ringsend/Approach to Eastlink. Disaster.

I used to go that way. I know bypass itby going into Irish town and turning down in the village. You come out at the eastlink

Pseudorandom

Trying to make a right turn from Mount St Lwr to go along the canal is regularly the most terrifying part of my cycle.

Wishbone Ash

The section of the R132 southbound between Blake's cross and Turvey Avenue (north Co Dublin) is probably the most dangerous piece of road I use regularly. It's only a few hundred meters but about 15 years ago the hard shoulder was converted into an second lane to make exiting from R127 (Lusk) easier for motorists. I never feel comfortable on it even when I 'take' the left lane. The surface is also poor with numerous ruts and holes and a few shore covers.

To add to the danger, due to it's direction, it's even worse mid morning in winter with a low sun on a wet road as drivers are blinded going over the crest before the dip to Turvey Avenue.

magicbastarder

ted1 wrote: »

I used to go that way. I know bypass itby going into Irish town and turning down in the village. You come out at the eastlink

same here - after it was suggested to me by someone on this forum.

loudymacloud

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The section of the R132 southbound between Blake's cross and Turvey Avenue (north Co Dublin) is probably the most dangerous piece of road I use regularly. It's only a few hundred meters but about 15 years ago the hard shoulder was converted into an second lane to make exiting from R127 (Lusk) easier for motorists. I never feel comfortable on it even when I 'take' the left lane. The surface is also poor with numerous ruts and holes and a few shore covers.

To add to the danger, due to it's direction, it's even worse mid morning in winter with a low sun on a wet road as drivers are blinded going over the crest before the dip to Turvey Avenue.

It's a horror of a spot

punisher5112

Be very careful anywhere from Rathgar, Rathmines, Camden St, Aungier St, really dangerous point now is George's St as they are doing building works so have taken over a full lane and the set up is a mess.


Just be careful anywhere to be honest as city is in bits with pot holes too.

Macy0161

In bound, the bit I feel most uncomfortable is the whole clusterf*ck around Trees Road on the N11. Well the crossroads with the Dublin Road/ Priory Drive/ N11 up to Trees Road really. I think that it's only because it's generally low speed that there isn't regular incidents and cyclists can normally get ahead of the cars, but cars/ buses/ cyclists/ moto's going every which way. (It's another junction that the "only cyclists go through red lights" crowd should pay a visit to as well).

I've given up taking a right out of Greenfield Park on the way home - too many near misses with people piling out of Nutley Lane, and then punishment passes up to the flyover for not using the shocking cycle lane. I go through UCD now.

alentejo

I have a few

Ill start with Memorial Bridge south bound (North Stand / IFSC) heading towards south quays and O'Connell Bridge.

Need to position yourself in the middle of 4 lanes of traffic. I know there is a cycle track on the bridge but not sure if it is even marked anymore!

punisher5112

alentejo wrote: »

I have a few

Ill start with Memorial Bridge south bound (North Stand / IFSC) heading towards south quays and O'Connell Bridge.

Need to position yourself in the middle of 4 lanes of traffic. I know there is a cycle track on the bridge but not sure if it is even marked anymore!

Cycle track is designed for cyclists to go against traffic so from South side to North side.

AGC

whysomanyhills wrote: »

Hi All,

I’m not sure if this has been done before on this forum but from your own personal experience what is the most dangerous stretch of road you must negotiate on your commute/general cycle in and around the greater Dublin area.

For reference I’ve been cycling in and around Dublin city and the greater area since the 90’s. I’ve lived and cycled on both sides of the city.

The reason I’m asking is I’m comfortable and feel safe to a general degree on pretty much every road in Dublin I use (provided your switched on) but the only place I have a genuine fear is Victoria Quay outside the Guinness Brewery when trying to negotiate the 4 lanes to get to the Phoneix Park/Chapelizod due to intermittent aggressive driver behavior.

For the record a large majority of drivers on this stretch or road are patient and understanding but I’ve had a number of close passes/tailgating incidents generally from “professional drivers” (not Dublin Bus btw).

If there is enough feedback it may be useful to the various cycle advocacy groups in operation for statistical purposes in terms of danger points from cyclists of all levels.

Thanks

Yes that stretch at Guinness brewery can be bad. I find coming into town and going up the hill after O'Shea's Merchant when the road swings to the left, everyone tries overtaking you and there just is not the space with it being 2 lanes and always traffic in the outside lane.

Few close calls over the last week alone.

davidsatelle100

Personally the roundabout at the Assumption Church in Ballyfermot in the mornings is an absolute disaster. You never now what the cars are doing

magicbastarder

AGC wrote: »

I find coming into town and going up the hill after O'Shea's Merchant when the road swings to the left, everyone tries overtaking you and there just is not the space with it being 2 lanes and always traffic in the outside lane.

i was at one of the dublin cycling campaign meetings where they were discussing preliminary results from the lberty bell trial, and there were a few council road guys there. this hill was menitoned as a hotspot, one which the guys from the council were none too surprised about.

Mickiemcfist

Macy0161 wrote: »

and then punishment passes up to the flyover for not using the shocking cycle lane. I go through UCD now.

Anyone know if there's a way to report cycle lane issues to the council on road conditions? That section between RTE & UCD is ridiculous. Would think now is the time as councils look to empty the coffers.

Duckjob

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The section of the R132 southbound between Blake's cross and Turvey Avenue (north Co Dublin) is probably the most dangerous piece of road I use regularly. It's only a few hundred meters but about 15 years ago the hard shoulder was converted into an second lane to make exiting from R127 (Lusk) easier for motorists. I never feel comfortable on it even when I 'take' the left lane. The surface is also poor with numerous ruts and holes and a few shore covers.

To add to the danger, due to it's direction, it's even worse mid morning in winter with a low sun on a wet road as drivers are blinded going over the crest before the dip to Turvey Avenue.

Its mostly uphill that direction as well, which slows you down and makes you feel like more of a sitting duck with cars coming up fast behind you.

Mickiemcfist

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

Anyone know if there's a way to report cycle lane issues to the council on road conditions? That section between RTE & UCD is ridiculous. Would think now is the time as councils look to empty the coffers.

Can't speak for Dublin but in our locale I've used fixmystreet.ie 5 or 6 times with good results, stuff like street lights being out, rubbish being dumped and crater of a pot hole.

ted1

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

Anyone know if there's a way to report cycle lane issues to the council on road conditions? That section between RTE & UCD is ridiculous. Would think now is the time as councils look to empty the coffers.

I’m really surprised that the UCD SU and UCD itself don’t push the council to fix the main access points. It’d help them with their parking issues.

I use this daily and always keep to the bus lane. Drives me crazy to see cyclists use it. Gives us a bad name !!

ted1

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Can't speak for Dublin but in our locale I've used fixmystreet.ie 5 or 6 times with good results, stuff like street lights being out, rubbish being dumped and crater of a pot hole.

I just used it to report the RTE to UCD cycle path

droidus

I found the N2 between Phibsboro and Finglas was pretty hairy back when I used it. Left hooks and buses pushing you off the road.

Its a short stretch, but the Canal to Harts corner can be a bit tricky if you take the lane and are turning right.

Church st/Constitution hill is a nightmare with either close passing or so much congestion its impossible to filter. I just avoid it now.

It's calmed down a bit now thanks to the changes, but Westmoreland st > O'Connell st is still hectic.

Ranelagh is generally OK, but this year has seen widespread parking in the Northbound cycling lane with no enforcement which makes it difficult to get through now.

check_six

That squeeze point on the south quays after Parliament St before Wood Quay: Essex Quay, horrible spot.

The bike lane that hides you behind a bus stop shelter just before dumping you into a corner on the N11 at Foster's Avenue heading North. Terrible design.

N4 is no fun to cycle on that Chapelizod Bypass section. Very narrow bus lane.

There's loads of spots where motorists will feel obliged to turn right across your path as you are coming towards them. Merrion Square/Holles St. and Northumberland Road/Clanwilliam Place are two spots where an unwary cyclist could easily get run over if they were not on the ball.

More to follow...

check_six

The bend in the road outside the cash and carry on Richmond Road is awful for the auld close pass. The road and 'footpath' are not well defined and motorists will tend to cut across the space you are occupying to take a short cut across the footpath. Hair-raising!

LennoxR

East Wall Road, from the roundabout at the east link up to North Strand. Especially if you are trying to take right onto Alfie Byrne Road to get on to the cycle lane north to Howth.

Mercian Pro

I always avoid Richmond Road and take Clonliffe instead. Much of it is too narrow for two-way traffic for cars so they generally leave zero room for bikes. About time they made it one-way with a contraflow bike lane.

When I used to regularly commute, Tara Street was my pet hate followed by trying to safely cross the Luas lines at the Abbey St / Beresford Place junction. Now, turning right up Parnell Square by the Rotunda while avoiding the tracks is even trickier.

mrcheez

Newcomen Bridge

Take a deep breath and ensure my camera is active before I get on that bastid

.

helimachoptor

Macy0161 wrote: »

In bound, the bit I feel most uncomfortable is the whole clusterf*ck around Trees Road on the N11. Well the crossroads with the Dublin Road/ Priory Drive/ N11 up to Trees Road really. I think that it's only because it's generally low speed that there isn't regular incidents and cyclists can normally get ahead of the cars, but cars/ buses/ cyclists/ moto's going every which way. (It's another junction that the "only cyclists go through red lights" crowd should pay a visit to as well).

Have had a few incidents there aswell.

For me, going southbound at Kielys in Donnybrook.
Two narrow lanes going around the corner, cars in the outside lane want to keep as left as possible, meaning cars in the inside lane basically want to run you up onto the footpath.

If i get the redlight just before it, i normally go through it. Ive had a too many close calls tbh.

detones

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The section of the R132 southbound between Blake's cross and Turvey Avenue (north Co Dublin) is probably the most dangerous piece of road I use regularly. It's only a few hundred meters but about 15 years ago the hard shoulder was converted into an second lane to make exiting from R127 (Lusk) easier for motorists. I never feel comfortable on it even when I 'take' the left lane. The surface is also poor with numerous ruts and holes and a few shore covers.

To add to the danger, due to it's direction, it's even worse mid morning in winter with a low sun on a wet road as drivers are blinded going over the crest before the dip to Turvey Avenue.

Just to add when you coming from Balbriggan the Approach to Blakes cross is lethal. Cars turning right heading to lusk always cut out in front of you last minute, then when you have just negotiated that,you have to try and merge with cars travelling up to 100kph coming from Lusk Ahhhhhh. Must the worst junction in the Country. Going Northbound not much fun either, I'm always nervous from Tesco Roundabout until I get well past Blake's Cross.

Mickiemcfist

helimachoptor wrote: »

Have had a few incidents there aswell.

For me, going southbound at Kielys in Donnybrook.
Two narrow lanes going around the corner, cars in the outside lane want to keep as left as possible, meaning cars in the inside lane basically want to run you up onto the footpath.

If i get the redlight just before it, i normally go through it. Ive had a too many close calls tbh.

That dog-leg is a disaster, there's also two huge metal grates on the ground which I'm also wary of taking too fast in case I slip. I tend to take the full lane now, the bike lane there is a deathtrap.

helimachoptor

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

That dog-leg is a disaster, there's also two huge metal grates on the ground which I'm also wary of taking too fast in case I slip. I tend to take the full lane now, the bike lane there is a deathtrap.

had forgotten about them!
Very cold or wet conditions and i just slow right down there and take the full lane too.

Mac-Chops

For me it's heading outbound on the quays and turning right after the Four Courts.
Any right turns off the quays involving crossing a number of lanes in rush hour traffic is testing enough.

Also in the mornings for me, there's an unfortunately timed red light heading Eastbound past Sean O'Casey bridge at the Citibank where I continually find myself in the minority of cyclists that stop.
Have witnessed plenty of near misses because of this.

(I'm aware that cars and pedestrians skip reds also.)

rushfan

Wishbone Ash wrote:

The section of the R132 southbound between Blake's cross and Turvey Avenue (north Co Dublin) is probably the most dangerous piece of road I use regularly. It's only a few hundred meters but about 15 years ago the hard shoulder was converted into an second lane to make exiting from R127 (Lusk) easier for motorists. I never feel comfortable on it even when I 'take' the left lane. The surface is also poor with numerous ruts and holes and a few shore covers.

Not a section of road that I like either, always slightly relieved when I get to the roundabout used to access the Tesco warehouse.

Arcade_Tryer

Too many to mention but Victoria Quay (crossing the lanes toward Phoenix Park) is probably the only part of Dublin that I am terrified to tackle at busy times due to a confluence of events including the speed of other vehicles, the non-existent cycling infrastructure, and the complexity of the manoeuvre itself. Thankfully have very little reason to venture near there.

Gerry

N4 eastbound from first flyover to hermitage. Terrible bike lane or road full of pissed off drivers. N4 westbound anywhere near a turnoff trying to not get killed by drivers who can't fathom that you aren't taking the turn. So that would be the ballyfermot turn before chapelizod bypass, m50 turn, fonthill turn, newcastle turn, etc. Actually the whole n4 really

De Bhál

Westmoreland Street ain't for the nervous.

bazermc

Ranelagh Village and the cycle lane in the Phoenix park. Full of twats.

Breezer

Harold's Cross Bridge. Outbound cycle lane shoehorned into a driving lane where there's no room, long queues of frustrated drivers, and a blind right turn for inbound drivers onto the canal, who can't see traffic coming over the bridge until the last moment.

The junction of New St South/Patrick St/Dean St/Kevin St. Inbound there's manholes in the cycle lane, drivers constantly turning left on a straight ahead arrow onto Dean St across the cycle lane and through a pedestrian light, then there's a sort of a cycle lane (faded purple paint but no white line) marked in the bus lane but it's far too narrow for traffic to pass you if there's traffic in the driving lane, which there always is. Then outbound drivers constantly block the junction, also huge potential for left hooks onto Kevin St. Meanwhile going from Kevin St to Dean St there's a microscopic cycle lane shoehorned in just like the one on Harold's Cross Bridge. From Dean St to Patrick Street there's an orange filter arrow and pedestrian crossing that drivers ignore. All the various bits of pedestrian crossings operate at different times, even crossing the same street. And for some reason the pedestrian crossing on the Kevin St bit is 30m down the road which leads to pedestrians crossing through traffic. Absolute clusterf*ck of a junction!

alentejo wrote: »

Memorial Bridge south bound (North Stand / IFSC) heading towards south quays and O'Connell Bridge. Need to position yourself in the middle of 4 lanes of traffic.

Seconded.

droidus wrote: »

Its a short stretch, but the Canal to Harts corner can be a bit tricky if you take the lane and are turning right.

Church st/Constitution hill is a nightmare with either close passing or so much congestion its impossible to filter. I just avoid it now.

That's on my commute. I find you just have to be really assertive with the lane. Even still, I was nearly taken out of it the other day by a driver who decided she'd use the bus lane to jump the queue for the junction with the green Luas, before nipping back into the right lane. I caught up with her in Phibsborough.

And then coming back inbound again there's far too narrow a cycle lane coming up to the junction with North King St, and when you move out of it to take the lane you have a massive manhole in the middle of the lane that's about 8 inches below the level of the road tarmac.

helimachoptor wrote: »

For me, going southbound at Kielys in Donnybrook.
Two narrow lanes going around the corner, cars in the outside lane want to keep as left as possible, meaning cars in the inside lane basically want to run you up onto the footpath.

I was knocked off my bike here years ago. It hasn't improved since.

AGC wrote: »

I find coming into town and going up the hill after O'Shea's Merchant when the road swings to the left, everyone tries overtaking you and there just is not the space with it being 2 lanes and always traffic in the outside lane.

I was coming up there on a Dublin bike a while back, slowly to be fair, and had a Garda on a motorbike motion me into the gutter. Nothing stopping traffic overtaking me in the right lane. I told him no, he drove on, and I caught up with him at the light at Christchurch 30 seconds later. Again, just really take the lane.

buffalo

Anywhere you've to cross Luas tracks at a weird angle, particular in the middle of a junction. Top of O'Connell Street, College Green, Naas Road by the canal, etc. Grand if you've time and it's dry, but stressful when wet and there's drivers up your arse.

ted1

LennoxR wrote: »

East Wall Road, from the roundabout at the east link up to North Strand. Especially if you are trying to take right onto Alfie Byrne Road to get on to the cycle lane north to Howth.

There’s a decent off road cycle path on most of that. I also use that daily.

OleRodrigo

+ 1 on the South Quays from Parliament St up to the Chapelizod bypass.

Actually, worse still, is the other side of the bypass coming into town. Like lots of other similar junctions you are sharing the bus lane beside fast moving traffic and then it ends and blends into a left turn.

If you are continuing straight, you are crossing traffic that may be moving across to take that left. You hope that they are alert enough to see you will going straight.

But whats really dangerous is when someone decides at the last minute to change direction and take that left exit at 70/80 kmph . There's nothing you can do to protect yourself from this except hope for the best. Its unlikely this person will see you moving out from the left lane in this scenario. They will only have glanced at the lane they are crossing. This very scenario killed a cyclist over the other side, on the Conyngham road, a few years ago. He was moving out from a bike lane, but it was a motorists last minute change of direction as he did so that caused the crash. These kind of layouts rely heavily on motorists going below the speed limit and paying attention.

Now I take a left through Inchicore and come out past the bypass. Too many close calls despite being hyper aware of this sort of danger.

The pinch points and traffic light sequences slow traffic moving through the city centre where there are the most pedestrians, but once they get an open stretch - such as past Parliament St or even Parnell Square west - they really put the foot down to make up lost time. And its speeding traffic that is the real problem in Dublin, IMO.

Arcade_Tryer

whysomanyhills wrote: »

And its speeding traffic that is the real problem in Dublin, IMO.

It's astounding. At least when there are lots of cars, they are getting in each others way, and constrained from causing too much damage by the limited space in most parts of the city. But the speed at which motorists tear around the place when given a chance is just crazy. An incredible lack of consideration for others, and ultimately a reflection on the poor driver education and overall lack of citizenship in this country. Nobody cares, until someone is hurt or dies that is, when suddenly we become the best in the world for platitudes, funerals and faux concern.

magicbastarder

ted1 wrote: »

There’s a decent off road cycle path on most of that. I also use that daily.

on the east wall road? there's a stretch which crosses over the railway tracks, but i stay on the road from the eastlink, and up alfie byrne road.

mloc123

Gerry wrote: »

N4 eastbound from first flyover to hermitage. Terrible bike lane or road full of pissed off drivers. N4 westbound anywhere near a turnoff trying to not get killed by drivers who can't fathom that you aren't taking the turn. So that would be the ballyfermot turn before chapelizod bypass, m50 turn, fonthill turn, newcastle turn, etc. Actually the whole n4 really

I find the N4 fine... The cycle path is okay, not great but you also have the option of a 24/7 bus lane. The only issue I have is coming out of town, getting over the m50 on the road is way too risky and it is awkward to get across into Palmerstown village to use the separate bridge

mloc123

check_six wrote: »

N4 is no fun to cycle on that Chapelizod Bypass section. Very narrow bus lane.

When they did the work to create the traffic calming at the ballyfermot slip road they started to make a separated cycle lane and never finished it. It is now just overgrown gravel.

On that section of road I find if the traffic is at a standstill or moving very slowly, don't use the bus lane... I instead filter between the two lanes of traffic. If traffic is moving I usually don't have problems with buses as they tend to overtake properly in the other lanes.

Tombo2001

Drumcondra Road coming out of town towards the Dodder

There is a bike path on the footpatch all the way as far as Fagans

The bike path merges with the road at a point where
(I) Buses are pulling in to a bus stop
(II) Cars are turning left onto Botanic Road

Very hairy.

You then progress onto the bridge - two narrow car lanes. There is NO room to overtake cyclists but many motorists try to do it anyway.

Polar wizard adventure

Macken Street/Cardiff Lane heading north and south. Parking both sides. Cars coming in an out of Hanover Street and Misery Hill, permanent construction works on both sides from the past 8/10 years, a hotel with coaches and taxis crammed outside, thousands of gormless pedestrians and the worst junction in the city at Pearse Street (particularly when heading south) .

Vel

Around DIT Aungier Street and Carmelite Church on Whitefriar Street

Camden Street around lunchtime on my commute home can be awful. Sometimes the entire cycle lane and bus lane are blocked with parked cars and delivery vans.

Left turn off Camden Street opposite the Bleeding Horse and towards Harcourt Street. Road breaks into four lanes, two heading left and two heading right, around by the luas tracks. I head right and am constantly undertaken at speed by cars behind coming from the left hand lanes into the right hand lane, rather than wait safely behind we and then overtake if/when safe to do so.

Tombo2001

Arcade_Tryer wrote: »

It's astounding. At least when there are lots of cars, they are getting in each others way, and constrained from causing too much damage by the limited space in most parts of the city. But the speed at which motorists tear around the place when given a chance is just crazy. An incredible lack of consideration for others, and ultimately a reflection on the poor driver education and overall lack of citizenship in this country. Nobody cares, until someone is hurt or dies that is, when suddenly we become the best in the world for platitudes, funerals and faux concern.

Completely agree.

I really don't know how they get away with it.

They are completely unchecked. For example, Alfie Byrne Road or Drumcondra Road they are tearing about the place given half a chance; I doubt if there has ever been a speed check done on either road.

The other thing is that 50k is considered reasonable on so many residential streets. The entirety of Rathmines and Rathgar has a 50k speed limit. Maxwell Road - 50k speed limit FFS.

I would be surprised if there is any other European city where cars can legally drive so fast on narrow residential streets.

spurious

check_six wrote: »

The bend in the road outside the cash and carry on Richmond Road is awful for the auld close pass. The road and 'footpath' are not well defined and motorists will tend to cut across the space you are occupying to take a short cut across the footpath. Hair-raising!

Richmond road generally is (and has been for years) terrible. Even in a car, I prefer to take Clonliffe Road.

Tombo2001

spurious wrote: »

Richmond road generally is (and has been for years) terrible. Even in a car, I prefer to take Clonliffe Road.

Yup

Richmond Road is nuts.

Walking on the footpath, the vans will pass by 18 inches away from you.

Have you noticed how it is STANDARD PRACTICE for cars approaching the Drumcondra Junction from Richmond Road to drive with one wheel on the footpath for 100 metres or so.

AlanG

Arcade_Tryer wrote: »

Too many to mention but Victoria Quay (crossing the lanes toward Phoenix Park) is probably the only part of Dublin that I am terrified to tackle at busy times due to a confluence of events including the speed of other vehicles, the non-existent cycling infrastructure, and the complexity of the manoeuvre itself. Thankfully have very little reason to venture near there.

That is bad but I actually find Cunningham road turning into the park to be worse, when you get across you have to wait in the turn lane while inbound cars come straight towards you and they have to veer to the left just before the turning lane. I hate waiting there to turn if there is not a car behind me also waiting. It would really benefit from a traffic island at that point.