Cycling/Walking around the city

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Interesting that this should come up at this point, four years and seven months after I signed up to Boards. As for the origins of my username, the primary clue is here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=68844853&postcount=70[/url

Oh my goodness, I always assumed the "hurl" part of your username referred to the act of throwing up! :eek: . I imagined that "I wanna hurl" was your way of saying that Galway roads/traffic/selfish motorists made you want to throw up! I always have had an overactive imagination though - glad to know the real reason behind your username

L'Enfer du Nord wrote: »

This isn't a fallen tree. It is a sign deliberately placed there by the local authority. It blocks the footpath completely. It demonstrates either incompetence or a disregard for pedestrians. Looked at in isolation it may seem like a small deal, however I think its emblematic.

Emblematic is a good word for it. Isolated instances may be tolerable, but it's so commonplace that it indicates a general disregard for pedestrian safety and access.

Here's an example from today.

Two signs on a footpath, one entirely obstructing the passage of all but the narrowest of prams (and therefore all wheelchairs):



And what were they flagging? Line painting on Threadneedle Road. Here's where the crew parked their truck:

Crumbs868 wrote: »

And one of only a very small handful of posters who are allowed to promote their own personal website at every opportunity

In all fairness, the Galway Transport website provides very useful information for the general public. It's not as if mentioning that website on threads discussing transport and traffic is promoting a business. IMO the website is providing a public service.

L'Enfer du Nord wrote: »

Is that a cycle lane they are painting?

It is indeed. Nice and wide it is too. Slightly wider than the width of an average car, judging by the cars parked in it a wee while ago.

I'm open to correction, but my understanding is that it will run the entire length of Threadneedle Road, along the West (tennis club) side. If it's not used for the parking of cars and buses, which is the typical situation in Galway, then it will be genuinely useful for anyone climbing the hill, imo.

Here's more of it, courtesy of Irish Water. This is on a 50 km/h residential road:

Camilo Tight Shrew wrote: »

This is the most ridiculous of the complaints to date. They are quite clearly digging up the footpath to carry out work how do you propose work requiring a footpath to be dug up can be carried out without closing the footpath?

The sign says "footpath closed -- please use other footpath". On the other footpath are more barriers and a sign saying "footpath closed".

Which footpath should disabled people and pedestrians use while the essential works are carried out?

Camilo Tight Shrew wrote: »

You can walk diagnostically across the road from where the picture is taken.... problem solved.

Simple navigation around a city is a big issue for some it appears however.

Walk "diagnostically" where exactly?

Both footpaths are obstructed simultaneously, as the image clearly shows, with no alternative pedestrian route provided on a 50 km/h residential street. In what way is that compliant with Health & Safety regulations, to say nothing about common courtesy?

To repeat:

Iwannahurl wrote: »

The sign says "footpath closed -- please use other footpath". On the other footpath are more barriers and a sign saying "footpath closed".

Both footpaths are obstructed simultaneously, as the image clearly shows, with no alternative pedestrian route provided on a 50 km/h residential street. In what way is that compliant with Health & Safety regulations, to say nothing about common courtesy?

Both footpaths are closed. Simultaneously. At the same time.

No alternative walkway provided for pedestrians, children, disabled etc.

Irish Water could have organised the essential works in such a way as to keep one footpath open. They didn't.

What Health & Safety regulations allow that, do you think? What version of good manners allows it?

galwaycyclist wrote: »

Good news story for a change.

Following a prior chat with one of the engineers working at the Lough Atalia bridge scheme, I had a look down at the Moneenageesha Traffic Lights last Thursday week. It looks like an attempt is being made to have automatic pedestrian greens on arms where the cars have a red light.

The green times seemed a bit short but obviously there will need to some tweaking of the system. I was there off-peak and likely there are shorter waiting times on all the arms anyway.

In my view, this is something that is be welcomed and reflects well on those involved.

I'm going to print your post and frame it.

Just realised that you're referring only to the Moneenageisha lights. It took me seven minutes to traverse that junction a few months ago, and then I had a bus and car drive past me as I crossed on the Green Man.

However, the lights at the other end of LAR also need adjusting. Last year I found that they were not responding to pedestrians at all, and just recently I noticed that the pedestrian request button did not seem to be operating properly. However, pushing the button eventually got the Green Man on both crossings simultaneously, ie on LAR and Fairgreen Road. Does that make sense, in your opinion?