New Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan

TrailerBob · 28-06-2020 6:00pm

The truth of the transport conundrum is that, despite the obsessive focus on Dublin and the M50 belt for policy making, almost 60% of our population are not city dwellers, and a significant number are not served by public transport at all. Electric is becoming an option for people, but only if you can already afford to change to a 40 grand motor. I'm not playing the poor mouth, but the reality is I have about 15 grand of a budget (from the credit union) to put to changing the other car in the house.. which itself is only worth about 2.. so not much option but another Diesel

RandomViewer · 28-06-2020 6:06pm

JC01 wrote: »

We don't need 98% of the things we have. Cars are a fact of modern life and I pay enough to use them that I fully intend to drive whatever the hell I want.

Why should you or anyone else get to ban me from the functionality of my own car? Even if there were actual public transport alternatives to my car I've zero interest in starting my day off dealing with people on a bus/train/whatever. So long as I continue to pay this countries extortionate charges for doing so I can't see how your argument has a left to stand on

I think that if you touch a sticky surface on a bus you should be within your rights to burn the bus

Duckjob · 28-06-2020 6:11pm

Lundstram wrote: »

Cyclists have no place in areas with no cycle lanes.

Want cycles lanes? Start paying for them.

Psst, I'll let you in on a little known secret. The authorities in more enlightened European countries are not only funding cycling infrastructure on a large scale,
but they're also actually paying people (via tax breaks) to cycle to work on it. I wonder why?

Maybe just let go of your irrational dislikes and open your mind a little.

AndrewJRenko · 28-06-2020 6:12pm

StackSteevens wrote: »

Heed to the traffic coming in both directions.

What's that got to do with taxation?

AndrewJRenko · 28-06-2020 6:14pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Why SUV’s though? Some cars have a bigger footprint than an SUV, and a bigger engine, so is it the height that gets you all riled up about them or something?

Because they are extremely dangerous for those outside the vehicle.

JC01 · 28-06-2020 6:14pm

RandomViewer wrote: »

I think that if you touch a sticky surface on a bus you should be within your rights to burn the bus

I know a few lads that work in CIE, some of the stories they would tell you about buses would make your skin crawl.

Jizique · 28-06-2020 6:16pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Why SUV’s though? Some cars have a bigger footprint than an SUV, and a bigger engine, so is it the height that gets you all riled up about them or something?

They are more dangerous - I can dig out the data, and certainly visibility for other road users isn’t helped by higher, larger vehicles on the road.
Few large cars with a bigger footprint are sold here, so they are less of a concern.
It’s strange that as families have got smaller, cars have got bigger

AndrewJRenko · 28-06-2020 6:17pm

Rows Grower wrote: »

He should wear a helmet to help protect himself against head injury if he is involved in an accident while cycling.

I'm surprised I have to explain this to someone who has the ability to type.

If you know of any research that says this is not true throw it up there and educate us all.

Perhaps you should be the one to produce evidence, given that you're the one dishing out the instructions?

Do you wear a crash helmet in the car yourself given that's where the vast majority of head injuries happen?

kirving · 28-06-2020 6:22pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Do you wear a crash helmet in the car yourself given that's where the vast majority of head injuries happen?

Took 160 posts, but fair play you got there in the end.

AndrewJRenko · 28-06-2020 6:22pm

JC01 wrote: »

Just read your own sentence back there and see does it even make sense to you.

It makes perfect sense for anyone who can read basic English.

Why should his €3k running costs have any relevance for public policy around transport?

unhappys10 · 28-06-2020 6:23pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Because they are extremely dangerous for those outside the vehicle.

I have news for you, if you're hit by any object travelling at 30kph+ it's going to be dangerous.

AndrewJRenko · 28-06-2020 6:27pm

unhappys10 wrote: »

I have news for you, if you're hit by any object travelling at 30kph+ it's going to be dangerous.

I have news for you If you're hit by an SUV, you are twice as likely to be killed as someone hit by a car.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4462-suvs-double-pedestrians-risk-of-death/

Odyssey 2005 · 28-06-2020 6:28pm

Moragle wrote: »

The main issue with him is the problems he will cause in rural areas. For example at the moment we have 4 private bus companies that go to letterkenny, all of them are off because of coronavirus. So if you work in letterkenny hospital for example and you're expected to get to work by public transport there is absolutely none.

Same here in kilkenny. Zero public transport

Triangle · 28-06-2020 6:28pm

JC01 wrote: »

Ergo the need for the cars, see where I'm coming from?

Mines only a diesel because of that clown Ryan.

Man, eamon Ryan didn't come up with the data to base policies on.
The car manufacturers lied about the data and based on this, environmental groups (worldwide) decided diesel was cleaner.
But this fact won't stop the righteous fury of some.

unhappys10 · 28-06-2020 6:30pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

I have news for you If you're hit by an SUV, you are twice as likely to be killed as someone hit by a car.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4462-suvs-double-pedestrians-risk-of-death/

Best to watch where you're going then.

kirving · 28-06-2020 6:38pm

Triangle wrote: »

Man, eamon Ryan didn't come up with the data to base policies on.
The car manufacturers lied about the data and based on this, environmental groups (worldwide) decided diesel was cleaner.
But this fact won't stop the righteous fury of some.

No, the dogs on the street knew about it for years. Absolutely no secret among other OEMs who constantly benchmark one anothers products.

Governments wanted to boost the economy as the financial crash happened and this was a nice way to do while pretending to be green.

Triangle · 28-06-2020 6:39pm

unhappys10 wrote: »

I have news for you, if you're hit by any object travelling at 30kph+ it's going to be dangerous.

The NCAP ratings for vehicles shows that box shaped bonnets are more dangerous than sloped ones.
The BMW x5 has a 76% rating the BMW 3 series is given 86% for pedestrian impacts.
Pre 2009 the X5 had 1 out of four stars for pedestrians/cyclists.

https://www.euroncap.com

Seth Brundle · 28-06-2020 6:42pm

Lundstram wrote: »

That list of things don't use public roads, disrupt traffic or cause accidents.

Next time, engage your brain before replying.

I assume you're indirectly referring to cyclists then.
Just remember that people cycling on a road are part of traffic as defined in the Road Traffic Acts!
Maybe you're referring to drivers causing congestion and causing thousands of incidents weekly; some even killing people. But let's ignore the elephant in the room because it doesn't suit your daft argument.

Duckjob · 28-06-2020 6:43pm

unhappys10 wrote: »

Best to watch where you're going then.

Thank f**k you're not the Minister for Transport.

Seth Brundle · 28-06-2020 6:45pm

Lundstram wrote: »

I pay about €3000 per year to run my car. That is handsomely taxed.

Cyclists pay nothing.

Both use the same roads.

Cyclists, pay up or shut up moaning.

I pay motor tax.
I also pay income tax.
I also pay many other forms of taxation.
So as a cyclist I contribute towards the running of the country including funding roads.
So, no. I won't shut up when someone pipes up with daft ideas about public taxation and spending.

28-06-2020 6:46pm

Duckjob wrote: »

Thank f**k you're not the Minister for Transport.

Anyone would be better than what we’ve ended up with.

Triangle · 28-06-2020 6:47pm

Kevin Irving wrote: »

No, the dogs on the street knew about it for years. Absolutely no secret among other OEMs who constantly benchmark one anothers products.

Governments wanted to boost the economy as the financial crash happened and this was a nice way to do while pretending to be green.

Even the EU back then was pushing diesel over petrol as better environmentally.
Just look back at the articles and data released then.

Here's a journal article saying it

https://www.thejournal.ie/diesel-worse-for-environment-than-petrol-3611217-Sep2017/#:~:text=BACK%20IN%201998%20the%20EU,to%20reduce%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions.

Seth Brundle · 28-06-2020 6:48pm

Lundstram wrote: »

Cyclists have no place in areas with no cycle lanes.

Want cycles lanes? Start paying for them.

Jesus, you keep banging the same drum despite the facts being presented to you.

BorneTobyWilde · 28-06-2020 6:50pm

Who in their right mind wants a dirty diesel car. They only buy them as the fuel is way cheaper . Not complicated, ban diesels and drop the price of petrol to 1 euro a litre.
Diesel cars are pointless.

Rows Grower · 28-06-2020 6:54pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Perhaps you should be the one to produce evidence, given that you're the one dishing out the instructions?

Do you wear a crash helmet in the car yourself given that's where the vast majority of head injuries happen?

No I don't wear a crash helmet in my car, but I do wear a safety belt and I'm surrounded by air bags in case the unfortunate should occur.

Stay safe Andrew.

TrailerBob · 28-06-2020 6:57pm

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

Who in their right mind wants a dirty diesel car. They only buy them as the fuel is way cheaper . Not complicated, ban diesels and drop the price of petrol to 1 euro a litre.
Diesel cars are pointless.

Another sweeping generalisation to add to the dozens already here..

A problem here is a reflection of how politics works in Ireland.. local issues take precedence over national... I'm as guilty as anyone at times, but sadly my area is one of the least represented I can think of in both a local and national context, so I don't feel my vote has much of a say in who gets into the Dail... The City vs Rural divide will always be there... Diesel has it's place, maybe not in a Polo in Rathmines, but it does out here.

Rows Grower · 28-06-2020 6:59pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

I have news for you If you're hit by an SUV, you are twice as likely to be killed as someone hit by a car.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4462-suvs-double-pedestrians-risk-of-death/

I have news for you, if you're a cyclist you should wear a helmet to help prevent yourself from being killed in the case of an accident.

bazz26 · 28-06-2020 7:03pm

TrailerBob wrote: »

Another sweeping generalisation to add to the dozens already here..

A problem here is a reflection of how politics works in Ireland.. local issues take precedence over national... I'm as guilty as anyone at times, but sadly my area is one of the least represented I can think of in both a local and national context, so I don't feel my vote has much of a say in who gets into the Dail... The City vs Rural divide will always be there... Diesel has it's place, maybe not in a Polo in Rathmines, but it does out here.

I wouldn't bother even replying to that. Its just fishing for outrage.

TrailerBob · 28-06-2020 7:06pm

bazz26 wrote: »

I wouldn't bother even replying to that. Its just fishing for outrage.

Not fishing, more resigned to the fact that us having the argument is pointless, as lifelong city dwellers don't understand rural life and vice versa.. I don't get city life myself.. but that's not to say there's any right or wrong.. and Ryan's policies are vehemently urban based and his ignorance of rural life had been shown before.

AndrewJRenko · 28-06-2020 7:10pm

unhappys10 wrote: »

Best to watch where you're going then.

Or possibly bester still to not let death traps like that out on the public road, mixing with our children, our parents, our families?

You know that the majority of road deaths are motorists killing themselves, other motorists and passengers, right?

AndrewJRenko · 28-06-2020 7:14pm

Rows Grower wrote: »

I have news for you, if you're a cyclist you should wear a helmet to help prevent yourself from being killed in the case of an accident.

I have sad news for you. You clearly have no idea about the purpose and design specification of bike helmets.

They are designed to protect you from falls at speeds up to 20 kmph. They do not protect you from being hit by a tonne or two of metal. It's a bit of foam in a thin plastic shell.

But if you're a big fan of helmets to reduce head injuries, make sure you wear a crash helmet in the car at all times, given that vastly more head injuries happen in cars than on bikes, even with seat belts and air bags etc.

Marcusm · 28-06-2020 7:24pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

I have news for you If you're hit by an SUV, you are twice as likely to be killed as someone hit by a car.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4462-suvs-double-pedestrians-risk-of-death/

But’s that’s only because the SUV driver would reverse over you as well as hitting you from the front. Bastards, I say.

lawrencesummers · 28-06-2020 7:25pm

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Lundstram wrote: »

That list of things don't use public roads, disrupt traffic or cause accidents.

Next time, engage your brain before replying.

Pedestrians don’t cause accidents?

If anyone needs to engage their brain it’s you.
Taxing bikes is the single stupidest thing I’m going to read this year.

Bikes use footpaths as much as Prams.

Eric Cartman · 28-06-2020 7:25pm

Triangle wrote: »

The NCAP ratings for vehicles shows that box shaped bonnets are more dangerous than sloped ones.
The BMW x5 has a 76% rating the BMW 3 series is given 86% for pedestrian impacts.
Pre 2009 the X5 had 1 out of four stars for pedestrians/cyclists.

https://www.euroncap.com

Checked out their ratings.
the notes from my Range Rover : "Pedestrian
Just three sites out of 18 tested on the vehicle's front gave any protection. This is dire, and Land Rover needs to improve matters"

scores 30/32 for inside passenger and 2/32 for pedestrians. Insurance underwriters love it though, range rovers are surprisingly cheap to insure, probably because if it hits anyone its a funeral home not a hospital they're going to.

weldoninhio · 28-06-2020 7:30pm

Jizique wrote: »

So even if there was great Munich-style public transport, you would still insist on being allowed to drive as you have no interest in dealing with other people? I suggest this is typical of the SUV driver, zero respect or time for others.

But we don’t have, nor will we ever have a decent European style public transport system.

Sam Russell · 28-06-2020 7:31pm

Odyssey 2005 wrote: »

Will we have to share the car with everyone in the village now ?

There is a car sharing service where you hire the car for €9 per hour all in - petrol, insurance, motor tax, parking.

I have never used it but it sounds great. Now it would not work for commuting because I think you have to return it to where you got it. [I am not sure of that]. It would be good for the shopping trip from the village to the local town.

It is not a daft idea at all. Most of the cars in the street I live on are left parked all day, every day, except for the occasional foray out. I am sure a short term rental would suit most people living here, and it would certainly be cheaper. A car costs about €5k per year, or €14 per day (365 days per year) or 1.5 hours per day compared with GoCar, or 11 hours per week. Now I could have underestimated the cost of owning a car by 100%, but that only makes the figures better.

[Edit: Just checked and I am out - it is €10,671 per year according to the AA.]

Sounds good, I must check it out.

Rows Grower · 28-06-2020 7:31pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

I have sad news for you. You clearly have no idea about the purpose and design specification of bike helmets.

They are designed to protect you from falls at speeds up to 20 kmph. They do not protect you from being hit by a tonne or two of metal. It's a bit of foam in a thin plastic shell.

But if you're a big fan of helmets to reduce head injuries, make sure you wear a crash helmet in the car at all times, given that vastly more head injuries happen in cars than on bikes, even with seat belts and air bags etc.

Here you go Andrew, stay safe...

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/helmet

AndrewJRenko · 28-06-2020 7:31pm

Marcusm wrote: »

But’s that’s only because the SUV driver would reverse over you as well as hitting you from the front. Bastards, I say.

Just in case you think this is all a big old laugh, this is what is happening in the real world in Ireland

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/carlow-boy-dies-in-hospital-after-collision-with-jeep-while-cycling-1007551.html

Plastic foam hats are not the solution.

weldoninhio · 28-06-2020 7:35pm

Duckjob wrote: »

Psst, I'll let you in on a little known secret. The authorities in more enlightened European countries are not only funding cycling infrastructure on a large scale,
but they're also actually paying people (via tax breaks) to cycle to work on it. I wonder why?

Maybe just let go of your irrational dislikes and open your mind a little.

Psst, enlightened EU countries got bombed t’fcuk in WW2. They were able to rebuild much wider streets, much more room for cycling infrastructure etc.

TrailerBob · 28-06-2020 7:38pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Just in case you think this is all a big old laugh, this is what is happening in the real world in Ireland

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/carlow-boy-dies-in-hospital-after-collision-with-jeep-while-cycling-1007551.html

Plastic foam hats are not the solution.

Neither is blindly assuming the blame lies in a certain place. I have some knowledge of this incident, and it appears to be a tragic accident that the driver had little or no part in causing. But go ahead and use it to demonise people. This thread is becoming a bit pointless now.

Duckjob · 28-06-2020 7:45pm

weldoninhio wrote: »

Psst, enlightened EU countries got bombed t’fcuk in WW2. They were able to rebuild much wider streets, much more room for cycling infrastructure etc.

Nope. Popular myth that one, but not supported by facts.

Netherlands for example like most over places, embraced the private car in the years following WW2 and in fact was still demolishing existing cycle infrastructure to make way for in its cities right up until the seventies. They didn't start to change direction and plan for active travel options until the time of the oil crisis around 1973.

kirving · 28-06-2020 7:47pm

Triangle wrote: »

Even the EU back then was pushing diesel over petrol as better environmentally.
Just look back at the articles and data released then.

It was never environmental in reality. Well, it was about CO2, at the determent of just about every other pollutant, but that was only because the Germans were top of the game at building diesel engines.

The Swedes long had other ideas in terms of CO2 reduction (bioethanol), but the Germans had more influence in the EU, so the Irish government removed the tax incentives, and then unfairly taxed bioethanol to prevent the public from taking that option.

German and French diesels were conciously incentivised over other alternatives to reduce our CO2 output - by FF and the Greens.

AndrewJRenko · 28-06-2020 7:50pm

Rows Grower wrote: »

Here you go Andrew, stay safe...

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/helmet

Well, thanks, but it doesn't really add a lot to the discussion. I know what cycle helmets are made from and the design spec.

If you do want to have a discussion about keeping cyclists safe, start here.
https://twitter.com/cyclegaz/status/1178275137558372353?s=19

Shefwedfan · 28-06-2020 7:53pm

I could read the 5 pages but I would expect it similar to the hyperbole all over boards in regards to Ryan. What exactly do you think he can do without the agreement of FG/FF and in reality a lot of other people in the Dail?

If he tries to make sweeping changes it will be stopped. You will have Healy Rae and similar shouting and roaring in case profits go down in the shop. Similar to the shouting saying an electric car can’t go through a puddle of water

Few things, first the grid, anyone that knows about a grid will release the companies want it running the whole time at the same level. Excess electricity at night can be used to charge electric cars. The new law said NEW combustion engine would be stopped in 2030 so you could still be buying those cars in 2045 but I hate to tell you it doesn’t matter what Ireland says, we will be told by car manufacturers what we will be buying And that will be based on UK/Germany/US market. So more and more Crossover anyway whatever fuel they run on

The Greens are all public transport, finally we might see some decent investment. Dublin is the main issue and it’s traffic issues started over 30 years ago and no government has managed to fix them. Maybe, just maybe public transport and a balanced transport system might work. No idea what the fear is

For people living outside cities, again no idea what the fear is? First off FG signed up to Paris agreement not the Greens. Second diesel was always on the cards to increase to at least be at the same tax as petrol. Every party would need to do. After that I don’t expect anything dramatic unless the price of diesel goes up in market

UK imports will be hit, especially diesel but that already started.

Hopefully a better Bike2Work for electric bikes. Also finally get a scooter system into cities similar to Europe. Shut down of city centres to traffic could be pushed out more but that’s already in progress

After that, feck all, as I said even if he wanted to ban all cars in Dublin he won’t get it past the Dail so why get so concerned.

I expect more changes in Solar/housing/heating than in transport to be honest but hopefully a huge push on a proper train system is part of plan, everyone should be behind that

AndrewJRenko · 28-06-2020 7:55pm

TrailerBob wrote: »

Neither is blindly assuming the blame lies in a certain place. I have some knowledge of this incident, and it appears to be a tragic accident that the driver had little or no part in causing. But go ahead and use it to demonise people. This thread is becoming a bit pointless now.

There are no 'tragic accidents' on the road. 'Accident' terminology was developed in the 1930s by the PR services of the car industry to get drivers off the hook.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2019/11/17/crash-not-accident-better-road-safety-reporting-could-save-lives-show-researchers
When you have drivers here claiming that complying with a basic legal requirement like driving in a manner that allows you stop within the distance you can see to be clear as 'totally impractical', you'll forgive me for making assumptions about responsibility.

kirving · 28-06-2020 8:03pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Just in case you think this is all a big old laugh, this is what is happening in the real world in Ireland

Plastic foam hats are not the solution.

That is really disingenuous Andrew. You have no idea about the circumstances of the crash or mechanism of injury, yet you're using it as an example on the efficacy of helmets in general.

Agent_47 · 28-06-2020 8:03pm

Horse and cart will be the next form of public transport. No one wants to use the buses or trains at the moment. Bit like that farce that is the liffey ferry that runs with no passengers

Marlow · 28-06-2020 8:12pm

PlentyOhToole wrote: »

So we have a new minister for Transport, Energy and Climate: Eamon Ryan.

Where did you get that department combination from ? All I could find is Minister for Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport.

Either way .. he's neither suitable for Transport, nor should he be in Comms, as he already screwed that one up at least once.

/M

jrosen · 28-06-2020 8:15pm

I heard on the radio today exclusion zones for driving around schools to encourage parents to walk, more tolls on the road. Poor imagination imo.

Seth Brundle · 28-06-2020 8:17pm

TrailerBob wrote: »

I have some knowledge of this incident, and it appears to be a tragic accident that the driver had little or no part in causing.

So he didn't have bull bars fitted to his vehicle?

New Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan

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