Galway traffic

McGiver

McGiver wrote: »

And that's why it was one of the options in the GLT assessments? And that's why there is a lobby group? And that's why there's an academic project on it?

It's your subjective opinion about light rail. That's all what it is. You're overreacting. And this is the second time. Once to my post and then second time to this one above.

Not at all, just being realistic in terms of what can be done in the short (5 yrs) to medium term (10 yrs).

Light rail is a great way to transport people, I've nothing against it, it just won't happen in Galway until after 2050. Even the luas took over 20 years from when it was first mooted.

serfboard

McGiver wrote: »

I take it back. Albeit, the propagators have moved the goalposts, I now actually agree with this proposition as it's a correct move of goalposts! It makes total sense - it's a proposition of a lower cost solution.

I'm very much interested in trams/light rail and was not aware of this recent development.

Galway VLR presentations here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITnpNhfL_GE
VLR presentation starts at 37 minutes. Very interesting and recommended to everyone with interest in the topic.

Vapourware. Good God. This is the solution they're proposing? Come back in 10 years when Coventry has provided a working solution.

Furthermore, the capacity is 56 passengers? As in, the same as a bus? Actually it's worse than a bus, as they are only provding for 20 seated passengers.

The proven technology known as a bus, is all that will be offered to Galway for the next several decades, and the quicker we stop talking about this nonsense and get on with advocating for the soonest implementation of Bus Connects for Galway the better.

And the gas thing is that in that presentation, they talk about the prohibitive cost of "normal" light rail systems, yet not very long ago, that was what was being proposed. They were wrong then, they're wrong now, and it won't be happening.

Mrs OBumble

donvito99 wrote: »

The lengths people will go to to discourage children cycling to school...

The cast majority can and should be walking, using existing footpaths and with no special equipment or parking required.

Kids do not need to be inculcated into believing that they need My Little Pony to go anywhere.

xckjoo

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

The cast majority can and should be walking, using existing footpaths and with no special equipment or parking required.

Kids do not need to be inculcated into believing that they need My Little Pony to go anywhere.

The footpaths on Raleigh Row aren't capable of carrying that number of people. Most footpaths around are badly in need of structural fixes and capacity upgrades.

Bikes are faster than walking, capable of going much greater distances with ease and capable of carrying more weight. They're also a game changer for people with disabilities that make walking difficult or painful. And they're fun to use, believe it or not.

It's the schools choice how they use their space. If they want to give up a tiny fraction of it to bike parking then what do you care?

what_traffic

xckjoo wrote: »

Bikes are faster than walking, capable of going much greater distances with ease and capable of carrying more weight. They're also a game changer for people with disabilities that make walking difficult or painful. And they're fun to use, believe it or not.

It's the schools choice how they use their space. If they want to give up a tiny fraction of it to bike parking then what do you care?

Great post.
Loads of kids are already walking to School in Galway City, especially those within 1.5km, kids cycling bikes widen that catchment area out (depends on age group I guess when it comes to the distance).

serfboard

xckjoo wrote: »

The footpaths on Raleigh Row aren't capable of carrying that number of people.

Whatever about the footpaths on Raleigh Row, check out these footpaths, further up on Palmyra Avenue ...

fergiesfolly

Just to add, kids walking now, will be using buses and cars later.
Get them on the bikes now. Get them road safe and confident and they'll cycle throughout their lives.

ben.schlomo

fergiesfolly wrote: »

Just to add, kids walking now, will be using buses and cars later.
Get them on the bikes now. Get them road safe and confident and they'll cycle throughout their lives.

Mrsob's nightmare right there in that second paragraph.

Worn Out

We cycle frequently as a family and encourage my children to cycle to their activities. The issue with cycling to school is simply the weight of their secondary school books. Even with leaving books at school, using ebooks, and limiting the number of books they bring home the weight of the bags are ridiculous. With up to 8 subjects a day that's a lot of books to bring home. I cycle everywhere but would not consider cycling with the weight they have to carry.

Interesting that in the UK children mostly go to their local school in their catchment area, neighbourhood. This would limit the amount of traffic as there is limited option to attend and drive to schools further away. It also pushes up house prices near the better schools but that's another thread.

Worn Out

Worn Out wrote: »

The issue with cycling to school is simply the weight of their secondary school books.

That's an separate issue in its own right and one that's been a problem for years.

A couple of solutions that the schools should push for;

- Get schools books published as a box set, book for each chapter. Also gives the option of spreading the cost over the year.

- Coordinate the homework for certain subjects only on certain nights. Leave the other books in school.

xckjoo

Worn Out wrote: »

We cycle frequently as a family and encourage my children to cycle to their activities. The issue with cycling to school is simply the weight of their secondary school books. Even with leaving books at school, using ebooks, and limiting the number of books they bring home the weight of the bags are ridiculous. With up to 8 subjects a day that's a lot of books to bring home. I cycle everywhere but would not consider cycling with the weight they have to carry.

Interesting that in the UK children mostly go to their local school in their catchment area, neighbourhood. This would limit the amount of traffic as there is limited option to attend and drive to schools further away. It also pushes up house prices near the better schools but that's another thread.

Would pannier bags not solve the weight problem? I guess they won't have lockers at the moment so it might not be a perfect solution but they can carry some weight and some volume

Thargor

Its not that big a deal, any standard bike carrier can take any schoolbag.

Mrs OBumble

xckjoo wrote: »

Bikes are faster than walking, capable of going much greater distances with ease and capable of carrying more weight. They're also a game changer for people with disabilities that make walking difficult or painful. And they're fun to use, believe it or not.

It's the schools choice how they use their space. If they want to give up a tiny fraction of it to bike parking then what do you care?

Horses are even more fun, able to carry larger loads etc. And they are a great cultural fit for many people. Perhaps we should try a ride to school scheme!!!


On a serious note, by switching from wheely-things that go away to ones that are kept at school with the kid all day, we are adding a new storage issue for schools, and also leaving higher-value items in places where property theft tends to be a problem which takes up teacher's time. Yes, bicycles have advantages. But they have unintended consequences, too. It's quite stunning how the bicycle-evangelists ignore the latter.

zell12

fergiesfolly

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Horses are even more fun, able to carry larger loads etc. And they are a great cultural fit for many people. Perhaps we should try a ride to school scheme!!!


On a serious note, by switching from wheely-things that go away to ones that are kept at school with the kid all day, we are adding a new storage issue for schools, and also leaving higher-value items in places where property theft tends to be a problem which takes up teacher's time. Yes, bicycles have advantages. But they have unintended consequences, too. It's quite stunning how the bicycle-evangelists ignore the latter.

Honestly???
That's your serious note???
Sure, let's give up phones and cars and houses too.
They all have serious unintended consequences too.

"wheely-things that go away"

xckjoo

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Horses are even more fun, able to carry larger loads etc. And they are a great cultural fit for many people. Perhaps we should try a ride to school scheme!!!


On a serious note, by switching from wheely-things that go away to ones that are kept at school with the kid all day, we are adding a new storage issue for schools, and also leaving higher-value items in places where property theft tends to be a problem which takes up teacher's time. Yes, bicycles have advantages. But they have unintended consequences, too. It's quite stunning how the bicycle-evangelists ignore the latter.

Reading that has unintended consequences on my belief in peoples intelligence

Laviski

‘Eight teens were kicking him’: Violent bike and scooter thefts up 65% last year

with the amount of bikes bought in the last year, the current shortage of available bikes its no wonder. can't find vehicle thefts for 2020 on cso.

what_traffic

Laviski wrote: »

‘Eight teens were kicking him’: Violent bike and scooter thefts up 65% last year

All Dublin City examples right? Any Galway City and County reports? Have not heard any increase at all here

what_traffic

VanWildcard wrote: »

"wheely-things that go away"

What is the word that is commonly used for these wheely-boxy-things?
And where do these wheely-boxy-things go away too?

Worn Out

Thargor wrote: »

Its not that big a deal, any standard bike carrier can take any schoolbag.

A standard carrier may take a school bag but it's the weight of the bag that's the issue. We have panniers at home but the bikes are not stable with the lopsided weight. Add to that a couple of hills, a lunchbox and some wind and it's not great for a young teenager to cycle. And I want them to cycle. Unfortunately the teachers will not coordinate homework either.

Mrs OBumble

fergiesfolly wrote: »

Honestly???
That's your serious note???
Sure, let's give up phones and cars and houses too.
They all have serious unintended consequences too.

Will you think it's funny when your kids teacher has to spend an hour of teaching time sorting out the consequences of someone's bicycle getting stolen.

donvito99

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Will you think it's funny when your kids teacher has to spend an hour of teaching time sorting out the consequences of someone's bicycle getting stolen.

Is there cryptosporidium in the water again?

zell12

A single tram line fits the rectangular shape of Galway city with one or two small twists and turns and serves about 48,000 people living within 0.5km of the line.
Red corresponds to the highest population area, then yellow, green, grey and blue, which has the lowest population.
NUIG - The maths of public transport in Galway

Mrs OBumble

zell12 wrote: »

A single tram line fits the rectangular shape of Galway city with one or two small twists and turns and serves about 48,000 people living within 0.5km of the line.
Red corresponds to the highest population area, then yellow, green, grey and blue, which has the lowest population.
NUIG - The maths of public transport in Galway

Shame they didn't think to look at where the jobs are located.

donvito99

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Shame they didn't think to look at where the jobs are located.

It appears to hit everything from UHG/NUIG to the city centre (largest employer) to ballybrit. No parkmore though, can't hit em all. Beats sitting in your car for 4 hours a day.

Heavy traffic through Shangort Rd in Knocknacarra today, Barna Road traffic being diverted through.

zell12

VanWildcard wrote: »

Heavy traffic through Shangort Rd in Knocknacarra today, Barna Road traffic being diverted through.

Those speed humps on Shangort getting all the love today

This is brilliant.

The Cycle Bus is going to do a Saturday run for kids training at Knocknacarra FC. Cappagh Park is overflowing with cars on Saturday mornings. Get a warm up and cool down with friends on the bikes and give the kids more independence.

https://twitter.com/KnocknacarraFC/status/1391072676274479105?s=19

https://twitter.com/acurno/status/1391298724886896640?s=19

what_traffic

VanWildcard wrote: »

This is brilliant.

The Cycle Bus is going to do a Saturday run for kids training at Knocknacarra FC. Cappagh Park is overflowing with cars on Saturday mornings. Get a warm up and cool down with friends on the bikes and give the kids more independence.

It is kind of sad though that it needs such an intervention; but fair play to them for organizing and trying to do something about it.

Permeability of this area and newer Galway City area's is a big issue, it helps to create this car traffic generation. Location of facilities as well. It is very difficult to avoid the main roads in this area if one is walking or cycling, hence parents don't see any option but to drive to these locations as these main roads are not seen as safe for walking and cycling. Contrast this with older City area's like Remore,Mervue or Westside. Far more permeable, and the playing pitches centrally located.