City to Clontarf Cycle Route

Shedite27 · 03-10-2017 3:14pm #1

According to Irishcycle.com there was a cycle route approved last night. Any idea where I could find what was approved?

That site has lots of articles about it over the past 3 years (presumably as plans continued to change), so tough to see what they actually agreed on. Was it the Dec 2016 proposal on DCC website?

Or does the "subject to amendments that the route be redesigned" caveat mean that they just allocated funding but didn't actually approve a plan/route.

Tenzor07 · 03-10-2017 8:45pm

Sutton to City cycle route through Fairview finally approved, great news to reduce motor traffic and increase cyclist safety and decrease journey time by bike...

Ah not according to the IT headline!
Traffic-lanes-to-be-lost-to-accommodate-dublin-cycle-path

07Lapierre · 03-10-2017 8:54pm

Wait till the journal.ie gets this...

Tenzor07 · 03-10-2017 9:00pm

07Lapierre wrote: »

Wait till the journal.ie gets this...

Leroy42 · 03-10-2017 9:01pm

It sounds terrible TBH. Can they not utilise the current cycle path through the park, upgrade it so that it is usable?

To reduce the main artery into the city centre from that side of the city seems crazy? Already there can be quite a backup of cars turning right onto Fairview Strand and if they restrict the traffic to one lane won't it all just be backed up?

Tenzor07 · 03-10-2017 9:04pm

Leroy42 wrote: »

It sounds terrible TBH. Can they not utilise the current cycle path through the park, upgrade it so that it is usable?

Quite simply, NO.

Interested Observer · 03-10-2017 9:10pm

God, I cycle down there every most mornings and drive very occasionally, reducing that stretch to a single lane is going to make it an absolute nightmare in a car. Maybe that's the point. Buses are going to suffer too because private cars already use the bus lane a ton.

Is this a problem that needs to be solved for cyclists? I don't have a problem down there in rush hour in the morning or evening tbh.

07Lapierre · 03-10-2017 9:17pm

Interested Observer wrote: »

God, I cycle down there every most mornings and drive very occasionally, reducing that stretch to a single lane is going to make it an absolute nightmare in a car. Maybe that's the point. Buses are going to suffer too because private cars already use the bus lane a ton.

Is this a problem that needs to be solved for cyclists? I don't have a problem down there in rush hour in the morning or evening tbh.

it's a great idea, IF we had a cheap reliable public transport system to take those commuters who leave their cars at home. But this won't happen, so yes, it'll be chaos for motorists. Frankly, I'm amazed it was voted in!

jon1981 · 03-10-2017 9:20pm

This needs a double whammy approach. If we are going to encourage more cycling through more cycle road infrastructure then we need to encourage employers to install showers, secure lockups...etc. through grants.

Im very privileged with my employer to have 20 showers in work. Many are not.

Im also amazed this got passed. I cycle that stretch every morning and the junction at the bottom of malahide road turning to fairview is carnage.

P.s. the comments on the Irish Times FB article are equally amusing and infuriating. Serious levels of ignorance being displayed.

magicbastarder · 03-10-2017 9:38pm

jon1981 wrote: »

P.s. the comments on the Irish Times FB article are equally amusing and infuriating. Serious levels of ignorance being displayed.

Am having a bit of fun in there at the moment

Regarding running the cycle path through the park. It's a public park, not a thoroughfare. I'm happy with the argument that commuting cyclists should be provided with an option that is separate from a recreational area.

Interested Observer · 03-10-2017 9:45pm

jon1981 wrote: »

Im very privileged with my employer to have 20 showers in work. Many are not.

This is true and tbh I've barely thought about it, but if my office didn't have showers I would not be cycling to work, simple as that.

Leroy42 · 03-10-2017 9:46pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

Am having a bit of fun in there at the moment

Regarding running the cycle path through the park. It's a public park, not a thoroughfare. I'm happy with the argument that commuting cyclists should be provided with an option that is separate from a recreational area.

The Phoenix Park is a public park that manages to have cycle lanes in it.

If they were to go ahead with this then current car drivers will have to find an alternative. Either public transport or bike.

PT will require significant increases in the current capacities, with the necessary investment that will require.

And as Jon1981, a significant improve in the infrastructure, both public and private, to cyclists and the journey end. Parking, showers etc.

This is all on top of the estimate €4m cost of this? Just to save a few trees that could realistically be moved into the park to free up the space or alternatively by better utilising the existing badly used space in the park

Tenzor07 · 03-10-2017 9:50pm

Shower previous to your commute, bring wet wipes with you and deodorant/hair gel/makeup/comb/hand towel..
Wear a clean wicking cycling jersey etc.

If you're still suffering from odor after all that then drive..

magicbastarder · 03-10-2017 9:52pm

Leroy42 wrote: »

The Phoenix Park is a public park that manages to have cycle lanes in it.

Alongside one of the main thoroughfares from d15 into the city centre. I wouldn't regard it as a useful comparison with fairview park.

Tenzor07 · 03-10-2017 9:53pm

Leroy42 wrote: »

This is all on top of the estimate €4m cost of this? Just to save a few trees that could realistically be moved into the park to free up the space or alternatively by better utilising the existing badly used space in the park

I agree with you, the passion shown by locals for those old trees led by rabble rouser Nial Ring put a stop to it... They would rather have a motorway running past their doors than a cycle lane..

Leroy42 · 03-10-2017 9:57pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

Alongside one of the main thoroughfares from d15 into the city centre. I wouldn't regard it as a useful comparison with fairview park.

I don't understand your point. You are saying that Fairview Park can't possible be used for a cycle lane (apart from the fact that it already is) even though plenty of parks across the world do. Why?

Not in its current guise, the current set up is terrible. But make that better rather than starting again with another bike lane which happens to take a away a much needed lane.

jon1981 · 03-10-2017 9:59pm

Is this a done deal? I mean they approved it, but does it mean they'll go ahead? I see another petition coming!!

Tenzor07 · 03-10-2017 10:05pm

Leroy42 wrote: »

I don't understand your point. You are saying that Fairview Park can't possible be used for a cycle lane (apart from the fact that it already is) even though plenty of parks across the world do. Why?
Not in its current guise, the current set up is terrible. But make that better rather than starting again with another bike lane which happens to take a away a much needed lane.

You've never commuted or cycled into city centre via Fairview, so to explain, it would be like trying to travel southbound from O'Connell street down Abbey street and around the customs house just to get to D'Olier street

Leroy42 · 03-10-2017 10:14pm

Tenzor07 wrote: »

You've never commuted or cycled into city centre via Fairview, so to explain, it would be like trying to travel southbound from O'Connell street down Abbey street and around the customs house just to get to D'Olier street

I cycle it everyday. I really have no idea what you are talking about. I think I must be confused. From my reading, they are talking about removing one of the inbound lane from Howth Rd/Clontarf Rd junction through to Annesley Bridge to provide a cycle path in order to keep the currrent trees in place.

There already is a cycle lane through the park. Start and end are rubbish but easily made better. Make the join back to the road better and you're all set.

Why is it not possible to improve on the current option without starting totally afresh? And in doing so removing a lane from the inbound traffic.

I'm all for better cycling infrastructure but this is a wholly unnecessary waste of public resources.

Leroy42 · 03-10-2017 10:17pm

jon1981 wrote: »

Is this a done deal? I mean they approved it, but does it mean they'll go ahead? I see another petition coming!!

My reading of it is the council really want to get rid of those trees and since there was such objections they have come up with a plan they know is going to scare the bejaysus out of all the motorists so they will 'accept' they tree plan.

jon1981 · 03-10-2017 10:38pm

Leroy42 wrote: »

My reading of it is the council really want to get rid of those trees and since there was such objections they have come up with a plan they know is going to scare the bejaysus out of all the motorists so they will 'accept' they tree plan.

I was thinking that too...but would they really play a game like that? Seems abit petty.

If they already had this approved plan an option why didnt they disclose it at the same time as the plan to cut down trees. I'm sure it would have reduced the petition numbers had they been aware of the worse options up for discussion.

Spending 4m euro on 300m of a cycle lane is madness. That being said, i don't know how much the previous rejected option cost.

Tenzor07 · 03-10-2017 10:39pm

Leroy42 wrote: »

There already is a cycle lane through the park. Start and end are rubbish but easily made better. Make the join back to the road better and you're all set..

No one who commutes will divert into the park, probably on a shared path with dog walkers and prams, take a jolly cycle through the park and end up out at annesley bridge..eventually!

Leroy42 · 03-10-2017 10:50pm

I go through the park everyday. Enter at the Howth Rd/Clontarf Rd junction and exit just before the lights on Annesley Bridge.

It is far from perfect, as I have pointed out, but it is usable. Make some improvements and it would be a more than adequate option.

It is very rare that you get pedestrians on the path, but on the odd occasion it is hardly the loss of the TdF we are talking about.

And even with a new cycle path you will still get people crossing onto it, runners, cars parked etc. Look at the newly opened cycle path on the seafront. New tarmac seems to be the only place people can walk/run

site_owner · 03-10-2017 10:51pm

Tenzor07 wrote: »

No one who commutes will divert into the park, probably on a shared path with dog walkers and prams, take a jolly cycle through the park and end up out at annesley bridge..eventually!

It's a shorter, more direct route through the park though

jon1981 · 03-10-2017 10:54pm

The only issue with the route through the park is it assumes everyone is going into town. If you're heading up towards fairview strand it's of no use. I know the majority head into town but it's a consideration.

brocbrocach · 04-10-2017 1:03am

[quote="jon1981;104865
785"]The only issue with the route through the park is it assumes everyone is going into town. If you're heading up towards fairview strand it's of no use. I know the majority head into town but it's a consideration.[/quote]

I get you but the route they're planning is into city centre, Fairview traffic can take the route its always took.

Tenzor07 · 04-10-2017 8:48am

site_owner wrote: »

It's a shorter, more direct route through the park though

Is it? for travelling from Malahide road to city centre? Does it not go up the centre of the park, back around and on shared paths covered in leafs etc?

site_owner · 04-10-2017 9:12am

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Is it? for travelling from Malahide road to city centre? Does it not go up the centre of the park, back around and on shared paths covered in leafs etc?

If connecting clontarf to the city it's direct and a 40 or 50 metres shorter.
Coming from malahide road it's still a little shorter but only by a few metres.

It's the same setup as the cycle lane on the coast for 75% of the route and I've had way more close calls with people crossing to their car, as well as rugby and soccer teams training in clontarf than in Fairview.

For the vast majority of cyclists it's probably an ideal route already

jon1981 · 04-10-2017 10:14am

The leaves are major concern of mine for the current route through and along the park. I've already wiped out on that section and I know others who have also leading to broken collar bones. It this happens at slow speed also.

I would prefer we lose a few trees to widen the existing lane along the park to at least put some distance between the lane and remaining trees. Also being shaded by those trees currently means the lane thaws less quickly in the winter. Actually I think this is why the cycle lane in the Phoenix park is on the outside and the walking lane on the inside. It always frustrated me that a walker had to cross the cycle lane to get to the walking lane, but I guess this is the reason.

brocbrocach · 04-10-2017 10:30am

site_owner wrote: »

If connecting clontarf to the city it's direct and a 40 or 50 metres shorter.
Coming from malahide road it's still a little shorter but only by a few metres.

It's the same setup as the cycle lane on the coast for 75% of the route and I've had way more close calls with people crossing to their car, as well as rugby and soccer teams training in clontarf than in Fairview.

For the vast majority of cyclists it's probably an ideal route already

Yep. Look at it on google maps. The path through the park is straight as an arrow, following the road is almost a half circle around.
I've never been slower to get to Annesley Bridge than a cyclist ahead of me who took the road or roadside cyclepath.
It's true about the leaves and the frost but I find it safer than the present cycle lane outside the park at the moment.

Interested Observer · 04-10-2017 10:45am

brocbrocach wrote: »

Yep. Look at it on google maps. The path through the park is straight as an arrow, following the road is almost a half circle around.
I've never been slower to get to Annesley Bridge than a cyclist ahead of me who took the road or roadside cyclepath.
It's true about the leaves and the frost but I find it safer than the present cycle lane outside the park at the moment.

Well feck me you're right. I always just stick to the cycle lane on the path outside the park. Will be going through the park tomorrow morning.

City to Clontarf Cycle Route

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