elections and cycling

magicbastarder · 31-01-2019 11:25am #1

might be an idea to have a thread where people can share knowledge of candidates (whom they know are cycling friendly) who are running in the upcoming local elections?

spurred by this chap popping into my facebook feed; i know little about him, except that he seems to be pedestrian and cyclist friendly:
https://www.facebook.com/SeanMcCabePhibsborough/

he's running in cabra/glasnevin/phibsborough area. means i can't vote for him, but i do have andrew montague to vote for at least.

Hurrache · 31-01-2019 11:36am

Roderic O’Gorman in Fingal, Castleknock Ward but also seems to get involved with things around the Mulhuddart Ward which includes a decent portion of that side of Dublin that are for all intents and purposes still rural when it comes to roads and cycling, such as Hollystown to Kilbride that many here cover as part of their rides, as well as the canal greenway.

I met him one afternoon when I was loading the bikes onto the car, he's a nice guy and will give you plenty of time for a chat about whatever issues you want to discuss.

Being a green party member he's naturally pro cycling, here's an article he wrote last year concerning how to get more people out cycling
https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/cyclists-would-rather-not-be-sharing-road-space-with-lorries-buses-and-cars-4068753-Jun2018/

For anyone in the general Fingal area and have an interest in seeing which of your local councillors are pro cycling, it might be worth noting which ones voted against this, there's a definitive split in party lines.
https://www.thejournal.ie/cycling-schools-3020766-Oct2016/

These are the guys that voted against the proposal
Balbriggan: Farrell (Lab), O’Connor (Ind), Maguire (Ind), O’Leary (FG)
Castleknock: Mahony (FF), Loftus (FG), Leddy (FG), Murray (FF)
Howth/Malahide: O’Brien (FF), Guerin (Ind), Lavin (FG), Redmond (Renua)
Mulhuddart: McGuinness (Ind), Dennison (FG), McCamley (Lab)
Swords: Butler (FF), Henchy (FF), Devitt (Ind), Smith (Lab)

And those in favour
Balbriggan: Quinn (SF)
Castleknock: Treacy (SF), O’Gorman (GP), Kavanagh (AAA)
Howth/Malahide: O’Callaghan (SD), Healy (GP), Ní Laoi (SF), McDonagh (Lab)
Mulhuddart: Donnelly (SF), Nolan (Ind), Waine (AAA), Doyle (AAA)
Swords: Coppinger (AAA), Lynam (SF), Newman (Ind), Mulville (Ind)

Hurrache · 31-01-2019 1:04pm

Coincidentally I just came across this this afternoon
https://twitter.com/rodericogorman/status/1090187874648104960

Budawanny · 31-01-2019 5:35pm

Rebecca Moynihan in DCC voted for the Clontarf cycle route.
https://counciltracker.ie is a handy place to see who voted for what.

Mercian Pro · 31-01-2019 6:29pm

Thanks Budawanny. Excellent link that for finding out why things happen, or more often don't happen, in this city of ours.

marvin80 · 31-01-2019 10:46pm

Robert Troy in Westmeath:

http://www.roberttroy.ie/ff-proposes-new-measures-to-overhaul-cycling-infrastructure-and-improve-safety-troy/

magicbastarder · 31-01-2019 10:56pm

he won't be running though, as it's local elections and he's a TD; they're not allowed have a dual mandate.

PatM65 · 31-01-2019 11:38pm

Paracyclist Peter Ryan is hoping to contest the local elections in Tipperary.

He's been approached by FG to stand in the Templemore-Thurles Municipal District.

buffalo · 01-02-2019 11:19am

Just in case you'd forgotten about Mannix:

“Residents are really pissed off, particularly when they don’t have permits and they walk into their streets and they’re full of cars that aren’t even on the footpath,” he said.

People are parking their cars on the road, the bastards!

https://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-city-council-parking-charges-4468882-Jan2019/

magicbastarder · 01-02-2019 11:56am

residents who *don't* have permits are pissed off? maybe they should buy permits, they're only 40 quid for a year.

my wife used to work in the section which issued those permits. she has stories.

zell12 · 01-02-2019 12:42pm

Running for DCC on Council property anti-social abuse
https://twitter.com/dublinblockers

Yet in Galway, Cllr Conneely bares teeth at ‘vicious’ cyclists
back in 2014, Pádraig described some city cyclists as “cowboys”. “They cycle on footpaths, crash traffic lights, cycle the wrong way on one-way streets and are a danger to pedestrians and cars. And if you stop to say anything to them about their behaviour, they abuse you using foul and filthy language”

cdaly_ · 01-02-2019 3:15pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

residents who *don't* have permits are pissed off? maybe they should buy permits, they're only 40 quid for a year.

my wife used to work in the section which issued those permits. she has stories.

Go on...

magicbastarder · 01-02-2019 3:23pm

just a random one - being bollocked out of it by a nun who assumed she was entitled to free parking because she was a nun.

conuiler · 02-02-2019 6:27pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

might be an idea to have a thread where people can share knowledge of candidates (whom they know are cycling friendly) who are running in the upcoming local elections?

spurred by this chap popping into my facebook feed; i know little about him, except that he seems to be pedestrian and cyclist friendly:

he's running in cabra/glasnevin/phibsborough area. means i can't vote for him, but i do have andrew montague to vote for at least.

Neasa Hourigan (Green Party) is also running in Cabra/Glasnevin. The greens are all incredibly cycle friendly, and its unlikely they'd give it up because its politically expedient.

magicbastarder · 19-02-2019 4:17pm

popped up in my facebook feed; paddy monahan, a soc dem chap in donaghmede/raheny:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=512175825973871

Ray Bloody Purchase · 19-02-2019 4:57pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

popped up in my facebook feed; paddy monahan, a soc dem chap in donaghmede/raheny:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=512175825973871

He has a page called Paddy Monahan Soc Dem. He made the same post there and i have to say, i lost faith in humanity after reading some of the ignorant comments on it.

One numbnutts was giving out to him about not giving a sh1t about the homeless problem, that there was more to worry about than traffic congestion! It was as if it was the only issue out there!!!

Someone else was orally farting about number plates and taxing cyclists.

Absolute dickholes. The general public are spastics.

mr spuckler · 19-02-2019 4:59pm

Ray Bloody Purchase wrote: »

He has a page called Paddy Monahan Soc Dem. He made the same post there and i have to say, i lost faith in humanity after reading it.

I started to read some of the comments yesterday and had to stop :mad:

he's in my constituency and has been quite active around the area, getting barriers installed at SuperValu Raheny to stop people parking with the nose of the car over the footpath etc.

detones · 19-02-2019 6:02pm

Hurrache wrote: »

Roderic O’Gorman in Fingal, Castleknock Ward but also seems to get involved with things around the Mulhuddart Ward which includes a decent portion of that side of Dublin that are for all intents and purposes still rural when it comes to roads and cycling, such as Hollystown to Kilbride that many here cover as part of their rides, as well as the canal greenway.

I met him one afternoon when I was loading the bikes onto the car, he's a nice guy and will give you plenty of time for a chat about whatever issues you want to discuss.

Being a green party member he's naturally pro cycling, here's an article he wrote last year concerning how to get more people out cycling
https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/cyclists-would-rather-not-be-sharing-road-space-with-lorries-buses-and-cars-4068753-Jun2018/

For anyone in the general Fingal area and have an interest in seeing which of your local councillors are pro cycling, it might be worth noting which ones voted against this, there's a definitive split in party lines.
https://www.thejournal.ie/cycling-schools-3020766-Oct2016/

These are the guys that voted against the proposal
Balbriggan: Farrell (Lab), O’Connor (Ind), Maguire (Ind), O’Leary (FG)
Castleknock: Mahony (FF), Loftus (FG), Leddy (FG), Murray (FF)
Howth/Malahide: O’Brien (FF), Guerin (Ind), Lavin (FG), Redmond (Renua)
Mulhuddart: McGuinness (Ind), Dennison (FG), McCamley (Lab)
Swords: Butler (FF), Henchy (FF), Devitt (Ind), Smith (Lab)

And those in favour
Balbriggan: Quinn (SF)
Castleknock: Treacy (SF), O’Gorman (GP), Kavanagh (AAA)
Howth/Malahide: O’Callaghan (SD), Healy (GP), Ní Laoi (SF), McDonagh (Lab)
Mulhuddart: Donnelly (SF), Nolan (Ind), Waine (AAA), Doyle (AAA)
Swords: Coppinger (AAA), Lynam (SF), Newman (Ind), Mulville (Ind)

I think its a bit simplistic to say those who voted for the motion are Pro cycling. It would appear there was genuine concerns on the practicality of implementing such a general policy. The council themselves raised the concerns and the councillors agreed. It should be worth noting a subsequent motion for specific cycle routes to schools was passed. I am also uncomfortable with the idea of someone basing a decision to vote for a public representative purely based on their views on cycling. Why not see which ones support Liverpool or Man U if its going to be such a limited and arbitrary criteria.

brocbrocach · 19-02-2019 6:10pm

detones wrote: »

Why not see which ones support Liverpool or Man U if its going to be such a limited and arbitrary criteria.

It's not limited and arbitrary. A favourable outlook on cycling in my local authority may well improve my chances of survival and increase my happiness factor. How much more basic can you get?

detones · 19-02-2019 6:35pm

brocbrocach wrote: »

It's not limited and arbitrary. A favourable outlook on cycling in my local authority may well improve my chances of survival and increase my happiness factor. How much more basic can you get?

Your view as you have stated could not be more basic which unfortunately in my opinion does make your voting decision limited and arbitrary. If you are happy to vote for candidates from political parties just based on their apparent views on cycling go for it. I would like to be aware of the different political parties and their polices on other issues outside of cycling, this will inform my decision when I decide who to vote for. I for one would like to know a bit more on someone I’m voting for then if they like cycling or not.

magicbastarder · 19-02-2019 6:38pm

detones wrote: »

I am also uncomfortable with the idea of someone basing a decision to vote for a public representative purely based on their views on cycling.

that's a rather strange leap. no-one has suggested that anyone should vote purely on a candidate's attitude to cycling.

brocbrocach · 19-02-2019 7:06pm

[QUOTE=detones;109468341If you are happy to vote for candidates from political parties just based on their apparent views on cycling go for it. [/QUOTE]

No, I'm showing you how it's not limited and arbitrary. In fact you could say that a cyclist voting for somebody who has shown indifference to the needs of cyclists is a fine example of voting to your own detriment. Other factors obviously must be weighed up.

Mercian Pro · 19-02-2019 7:15pm

https://www.facebook.com/BillBadbody/

This guy's got some interesting policies but seems to be running as an MEP rather than as a Councillor.

Duckjob · 19-02-2019 8:23pm

Ray Bloody Purchase wrote: »

He has a page called Paddy Monahan Soc Dem. He made the same post there and i have to say, i lost faith in humanity after reading some of the ignorant comments on it.

One numbnutts was giving out to him about not giving a sh1t about the homeless problem, that there was more to worry about than traffic congestion! It was as if it was the only issue out there!!!

Someone else was orally farting about number plates and taxing cyclists.

Absolute dickholes. The general public are spastics.

Every time I read the same old scutter about "road tax" a few more brain cells fall out of my ear. How many times does the same thing need to be explained to these knuckle draggers?

Hurrache · 20-02-2019 10:35am

detones wrote: »

I think its a bit simplistic to say those who voted for the motion are Pro cycling. It would appear there was genuine concerns on the practicality of implementing such a general policy. The council themselves raised the concerns and the councillors agreed. It should be worth noting a subsequent motion for specific cycle routes to schools was passed. I am also uncomfortable with the idea of someone basing a decision to vote for a public representative purely based on their views on cycling. Why not see which ones support Liverpool or Man U if its going to be such a limited and arbitrary criteria.

It means that they were willing to give something a try to the benefit of children and their parents who cycle to school, why would you have an issue with that?

I mailed all of them about this, about 3 or 4 had the manners to reply to me, all of them from a socialist left part of one sort or the other, apart from an Independent.

The gist of the objections was that they say it would require CPO's which they didn't want to do. And easy excuse I think. There's be no obligation to CPO properties where required for this, a bit of creative thinking is all that would be needed such as dedicated off road cycle lane and giving less space to motorists in such instances.

Nobody has said they're going to vote for a candidate solely based on their stance on cycling and cycling facilities. However as a cyclist, and kids who cycle, it's obvious that anyone willing to make things easier and safer for our families will get a better hearing than those who don't.

You're coming across overly defensive of them.

BTW, I hate soccer, so couldn't care less who they support. However even if I did, their choice of team would have no affect on my children, or theirs.

is_that_so · 20-02-2019 10:40am

magicbastarder wrote: »

might be an idea to have a thread where people can share knowledge of candidates (whom they know are cycling friendly) who are running in the upcoming local elections?

spurred by this chap popping into my facebook feed; i know little about him, except that he seems to be pedestrian and cyclist friendly:
https://www.facebook.com/SeanMcCabePhibsborough/

he's running in cabra/glasnevin/phibsborough area. means i can't vote for him, but i do have andrew montague to vote for at least.

An odd justification for considering a possible candidate. Given one get elected on under 1000 votes I suppose it's no worse than voting for any loon that tells you what's wrong with your life and how they as councillor can make you feel good. A lot of the big stuff on transport is at national level and involves spending on infrastructure councils couldn't afford.

Hurrache · 20-02-2019 10:41am

is_that_so wrote: »

An odd justification for considering a possible candidate.

Is that so?

You know we're talking about local elections, were we get to have some input into how we like issues in our local communities looked at?

is_that_so · 20-02-2019 10:46am

Hurrache wrote: »

Is that so?

You know we're talking about local elections, were we get to even direct how we like issues in our local communities looked at?

I do and voters just use them not to vote for any of the shower who apparently make their life a misery. Councils have little to no power and spend most of their time,tweaking bye-laws, taking money off the LPT and not agreeing budgets. Some of these issues have to be resolved financial or otherwise at national level.

magicbastarder · 20-02-2019 10:48am

is_that_so wrote: »

A lot of the big stuff on transport is at national level and involves spending on infrastructure councils couldn't afford.

that's perfectly fine so, i don't expect my councillors to be lobbying on motorways or the electrification of the moon or whatever.
but i have exchanged emails with them about bad cycle lane design in the area, so your (weird) critique is noted but not relevant.

is_that_so · 20-02-2019 10:59am

magicbastarder wrote: »

that's perfectly fine so, i don't expect my councillors to be lobbying on motorways or the electrification of the moon or whatever.
but i have exchanged emails with them about bad cycle lane design in the area, so your (weird) critique is noted but not relevant.

Well if that's why you voted for your councillor it really is not. I have a dim view of councillors in general and public representations help make them look like they're doing something useful. We had a minor road issue, a new yellow box, apparently "resolved" by one local councillor. Now he thinks we're BFF and sends us letters every few months on how brilliant he is.

TDs are worse as you can end up on their Christmas card list.

Hurrache · 20-02-2019 11:11am

is_that_so wrote: »

I do and voters just use them not to vote for any of the shower who apparently make their life a misery. Councils have little to no power and spend most of their time,tweaking bye-laws, taking money off the LPT and not agreeing budgets. Some of these issues have to be resolved financial or otherwise at national level.

It's your problem if you don't understand your local council and don't try influence it, not ours.

RobFowl · 20-02-2019 11:15am

Maria Mulvaney standing in Raheny for FG is a cyclist (and cough cough triathlete) and competed in and finished Ras na mBan.

magicbastarder · 20-02-2019 11:18am

is_that_so wrote: »

I have a dim view of councillors in general

have we reached the nub of the issue?

is_that_so · 20-02-2019 12:03pm

Hurrache wrote: »

It's your problem if you don't understand your local council and don't try influence it, not ours.

Nah, I understand them all too well. I don't ascribe qualities like reason and common sense to them. Self-importance is about their best quality and most of them fancy a shot at the big house. Invariably the CEO of said council has to be the adult in the room and actually make decisions.

is_that_so · 20-02-2019 12:06pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

have we reached the nub of the issue?

That councillors are generally very poor and of no great use to us? It is pretty obvious if you actually look. It doesn't mean they can't do lil thing like this or stuff that makes individual voters think their cares are being addressed.

magicbastarder · 20-02-2019 12:06pm

anyway, as mentioned earlier, andrew montague is one of my local councillors, and has good history when it comes to cycling, probably more than any other councillor. plus, he's a very nice chap, for whatever that's worth.

Chips Lovell · 20-02-2019 12:08pm

Vote for different candidates so?

is_that_so · 20-02-2019 12:12pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

anyway, as mentioned earlier, andrew montague is one of my local councillors, and has good history when it comes to cycling, probably more than any other councillor. plus, he's a very nice chap, for whatever that's worth.

And actually a good councillor!:D

jd · 20-02-2019 12:19pm

magicbastarder wrote:

he's running in cabra/glasnevin/phibsborough area. means i can't vote for him, but i do have andrew montague to vote for at least.

Yes Andrew proposed and pushed for the Dublin Bike scheme. I've seen him cycling into the Omni (rather him than me st that junction!).. He will be standing in the new Ballymun/Finglas LEA

magicbastarder · 04-04-2019 10:19pm

i suspect the liffey cycleway and issues surrounding busconnects and cycling will throw some light on councillor's attitudes to cycling.

anyway, this chap is local to me:

https://twitter.com/Keegan1Andrew/status/1113909950198239241

mr spuckler · 05-04-2019 10:38am

RobFowl wrote: »

Maria Mulvaney standing in Raheny for FG is a cyclist (and cough cough triathlete) and competed in and finished Ras na mBan.

yep, Maria Mulvaney & Paddy Monahan are top of my list alright. both active cyclists who strongly advocate for better conditions.

Mr. Grieves · 05-04-2019 11:38am

I'm at a bit of a loss as to who to vote for in Kimmage Rathmines, if anyone could give any pointers? Not Mary Freehill anyway.

tommythecat · 05-04-2019 11:39am

Mr. Grieves wrote: »

I'm at a bit of a loss as to who to vote for in Kimmage Rathmines, if anyone could give any pointers? Not Mary Freehill anyway.

Not Ruairi McGinley either

jd · 05-04-2019 3:52pm

Mr. Grieves wrote: »

I'm at a bit of a loss as to who to vote for in Kimmage Rathmines, if anyone could give any pointers? Not Mary Freehill anyway.

Pat Costello?
https://irishcycle.com/2019/04/05/south-dublin-quietway-vote-expected-to-be-victory-for-rat-runners-over-the-safety-of-children/

smacl · 05-04-2019 4:49pm

Don't know if he's running in any local elections at the moment, but Paddy Smyth is very pro-cycling has been involved in getting quiet ways / grey ways setup. Don't know much else about his politics but he's our family doctor and I've always found him to be a decent skin.

jd · 05-04-2019 5:14pm

smacl wrote: »

Don't know if he's running in any local elections at the moment, but Paddy Smyth is very pro-cycling has been involved in getting quiet ways / grey ways setup. Don't know much else about his politics but he's our family doctor and I've always found him to be a decent skin.

He's not standing again.

AndrewJRenko · 05-04-2019 9:58pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

i suspect the liffey cycleway and issues surrounding busconnects and cycling will throw some light on councillor's attitudes to cycling.

anyway, this chap is local to me:

https://twitter.com/Keegan1Andrew/status/1113909950198239241

And this nice gent is local to me;

https://twitter.com/Riggleberry/status/1113915050559983624

tomasrojo · 06-04-2019 11:46am

"tell your cycling buddies ..."

Time to convene the Grand Cyclist Council and instruct members not to vote for this ... member.

Seth Brundle · 06-04-2019 3:25pm

seamas o'neill wrote:

"tell your cycling buddies ..."

I wonder if this pillock is telling anyone who asks him a motoring question to do something similar.

Pinch Flat · 07-04-2019 7:56am

tomasrojo wrote: »

"tell your cycling buddies ..."

Time to convene the Grand Cyclist Council and instruct members not to vote for this ... member.

It is interesting how other people with a motor centric attitude see cyclists as some sort of fraternity. I often have people say in work or social situations “I saw one of your cycling buddies do x,y or z”. Bizarre.

In my efforts to improve our image, I’ve been diligently taking names and details anyway on my morning commute of errent cyclists who will be summonsed to be brought in front of the grand secret agm we have every year and deal with them then.

tomasrojo · 07-04-2019 2:24pm

Tell your driving buddies to stop drinking and driving.

It's just as much horsesh1t as what he said.

elections and cycling

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