Clontarf to City Centre Cycle & Bus Priority Project discussion (renamed)

Seeing all these dumper trucks and diggers moving round has me starting to think why don’t construction vehicles pay any road tax/NCT? 🤔

But no sign of any discs on diggers or dumper trucks (road maintenance vehicles surely).

I was sitting today, waiting for the signal to change to Go in the sh1tfest that is Irish Water’s attempt to change the water pipes in Clontarf and a mini digger was pushing a digger head (or whatever they are called) along the road gouging a big hole in the road as he went. Didn’t give a toss. 🤬

That’s been like that for years and years in September. Once the buses get past the idiot drivers blocking the junctions and past Edges Corner they have the road to themselves along with the bikes and can sail in to 5 lamps.

I was there this morning, looked to be good compliance and a huge number of bikes which was great to see.

Howth Road is fine

Hi there. I cycle the route every day from Fairview into town at different times, but usually between 8 and 9. I'd often be out earlier than that running so I get a good idea of the traffic build-up between Howth Road and Fairview Strand. I've been living in and commuting to and from the area by bike, car and bus for 27 years at different times of the day so I have a very good idea of the historical traffic flows throughout the area.

It is not worse than ever. It gets busy at rush hour, sure, but Philipsburgh Ave, Fairview Strand, Fairvew have always been clogged to the gills at busy times. It is definitely moving better at the moment - not because of the works themselves, but because motor traffic is avoiding the area and (hopefully) more people are using alternative means. Your bus might be fractionally slower because of difficulty overtaking the bikes - I understand that, and it's inevitable at the moment - but that's fair enough isn't it? There are also a few 'special' car and van drivers who like to abuse the bus lane, but you will always have that, and they slow the buses through the Five Lamps junction more than cyclists, I would think. There's a delayed red towards Amiens St at that junction too the last couple of weeks, it's not obvious to me why (not because of pedestrian lights), maybe to ensure the junction is safely cleared?

There are a lot more bikes on the route at certain times (especially between 8 and 9) or at least it seems that way, which is great to see and I definitely feel a lot safer surrounded by other bikes than by buses and vans and cars.

And I've been commuting in this route for the same length of time (bar a few years in the middle) and yes I know Fairview has always been busy but there is more disruption because of the works. It's simply inevitable. Maybe some traffic is avoiding the area but it's worse than it used to be. There are knock-on effects beyond Fairview itself that aren't immediately apparent, such as Portland Row and the NCR.

And no, the few cars that ignore the restrictions don't slow down the buses more than the cyclists because they are moving at the same speed as the buses. The bikes do because inevitably they are travelling slower. It's just the reality of the restrictions and I experiece it three times a week so please don't tell me it doesn't happen.

I'll keep saying it, I'm not against the works because in the longer term it's better for everyone involved - cars, buses and bikes - but there is disruption which is mainly felt by those commuting by car and I don't see why people keep trying to say otherwise.

I cycled through Fairview yesterday and it was actually the buses holding up the cyclists. There were 3 buses in a row so when the front one had to stop they all had to stop. There were 5 or 6 cyclists stuck behind them.

In general buses don't move much faster the bicycles

Well we can agree to differ. As a resident I’m happy with the works and how they are affecting our own mobility into and out of the area at all times of day and night. Your own experience seems to be based on the main through route, mine extends to the areas where traffic is being diverted as well.

By the way, re cars slowing buses, I meant by being in the queue at the lights. Only so many vehicles will get through. The more selfish drivers ignoring the signs, the longer buses have to wait at lights. Bikes have always been the fastest vehicles on the stretch of road we are talking about, and have always shared the lane, so can’t slow the buses compared to pre-works. It’s just an illusion between stops, because buses can’t overtake. That’s built into the design.

Happy commuting!

And I don't think you understand that I'm the one experiencing this and I can tell you that at the moment the journey is marginally slower and it is caused by a lack of overtaking opportunities for buses because of only one inbound lane. It's not a lot but it is slower. I've only been doing this journey for years now.

It's truly amazing how you all seem to know far more about what I'm experiencing as opposed to myself who is actually sitting on the bus seeing it happen. Dear God, no wonder people talk about the arrogance of cyclists. Don't bother replying. I'm out of this conversation.

Well I mentioned that my own experience of the traffic in the area includes my driving and pedestrian and bus commuting activities! Of course your journey time may be a little slower - there are major road works going on.

I wish the Gov would push motorbikes and mopeds as a traffic solution too, smaller motorbikes anyway, they use feck all fuel compared to cars and no congestion at all.

I had a learner licence for a GS125 years ago but looking at the steps to get a full license just gives me a headache.

Why are there no mopeds in Dublin any more? Did insurance kill them as an option?

I'm nearly sure if you have a B you can just get an AM. I could be wrong now

But that would mean you could drive 50cc mopeds

Traffic incredibly bad this morning around Fairview (So I'm told). I was on the DART thankfully.

The main reason is because we can! There is virtually no chance of being caught, and if we are, nothing really that can be done like penalty points etc. I use a bike and moped on my commute. I don't understand how anyone can sit in traffic for that much of their lives.

I break lights when it is safe to do so (like pedestrian lights when all is clear) but never junctions.