Galway traffic

Johnny_BravoIII · 13-11-2019 10:35pm

beardybrewer wrote: »

Hmm. A bit quiet in here. What do ye think about this then?

Mods killed the previous thread. Super active, engaged, lots of different points of view. Whats the point.

John_Rambo · 14-11-2019 11:37am

Johnny_BravoIII wrote: »

Mods killed the previous thread. Super active, engaged, lots of different points of view. Whats the point.

Agreed. Last thread had great insights from locals, commuters, public transport users, cyclists, tradespeople with real needs to use vans etc... A good snapshot thread lazily closed down to avoid a bit of tidying up.

RE; the overtaking cyclist rule? Most fines will come from camera footage from cyclists or witnesses.

Mrs OBumble · 14-11-2019 1:53pm

John_Rambo wrote: »

RE; the overtaking cyclist rule? Most fines will come from camera footage from cyclists or witnesses.

I'm curious, does the rule apply both ways, ie cyclists must not undertake without 1.5m clearance?

John_Rambo · 14-11-2019 1:58pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

I'm curious, does the rule apply both ways, ie cyclists must not undertake without 1.5m clearance?

No. Cyclist can filter passed stopped or slow moving traffic safely with mm to spare.

Nobody, safely seat belted in a 2 tonne car surrounded by metal and glass has ever been injured by someone cycling by them.

what_traffic · 14-11-2019 2:03pm

John_Rambo wrote: »

No. Cyclist can filter passed stopped or slow moving traffic safely with mm to spare.

Nobody, safely seat belted in a 2 tonne car surrounded by metal and glass has ever been injured by someone cycling by them.

In fairness I think Mrs OBumble is very concerned for wing mirrors getting grazed from passing elbows. The Irish Association for Wing Mirrors has been highlighting this threat for years now.

14-11-2019 3:10pm

UsBus wrote: »

Traffic has been insane this week. I've travelled in the curragh line and through claregalway and both routes have been chronic at 7.00-7.30 in the morning. It feels like it has gotten much worse in the last couple of years. The evening traffic is brutal as always trying to get out of parkmore and heading north.

It's not sustainable anymore, am actively pursuing other jobs to get out of Galway at this stage.

Traffic has had its normal (unexplainable) post midterm ease imo. I travel in from the county leaving home at around 9am and before midterm I was still getting held up in traffic but since midterm I’ve no holds ups in the morning and the evening is similar travelling home at 6:30pm or later I’ve no traffic issues.

John_Rambo wrote: »

No. Cyclist can filter passed stopped or slow moving traffic safely with mm to spare.

Nobody, safely seat belted in a 2 tonne car surrounded by metal and glass has ever been injured by someone cycling by them.

What about damage to cars, wing mirrors, handle bars scraping cars etc?

timmyntc · 14-11-2019 3:17pm

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

What about damage to cars, wing mirrors, handle bars scraping cars etc?

All the more reason to want segregated cycle lanes

WallyGUFC · 14-11-2019 3:51pm

Traffic definitely worse this week, roadworks in Oranmore not helping that side, especially in the evening. Parkmore was a nightmare last night for people getting out of the estates. The general standard of driving seems to be getting worse too, which I didn't think was possible.

phelant · 14-11-2019 4:06pm

John_Rambo wrote: »

No. Cyclist can filter passed stopped or slow moving traffic safely with mm to spare.

Nobody, safely seat belted in a 2 tonne car surrounded by metal and glass has ever been injured by someone cycling by them.

Physically at any rate. The way some cyclists carry on is a mental assault to any law abiding motorist.

DuckSlice · 14-11-2019 4:09pm

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

What about damage to cars, wing mirrors, handle bars scraping cars etc?

Jump out of the car, drag them off the bike and give them a good talking to.

xckjoo · 14-11-2019 4:13pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

I'm curious, does the rule apply both ways, ie cyclists must not undertake without 1.5m clearance?

There's no 1.5m requirement. It's "dangerous overtaking". So it would be hard for a cyclist to endanger a driver. I think it could technically be applied to a cyclist overtaking another cyclist though. But I'm not sure what that would look like

John_Rambo · 14-11-2019 4:14pm

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

What about damage to cars, wing mirrors, handle bars scraping cars etc?

I've been driving a lot longer than you in heavier traffic than you and I've never had my wing mirror damaged or a handle bar scrape my car. Now as you know from previous threads I'm an excellent driver with good road positioning and excellent awareness.

How many times has your car been damaged by filtering cyclists?

phelant wrote: »

Physically at any rate. The way some cyclists carry on is a mental assault to any law abiding motorist.

I know... sailing by the poor mentally assaulted motorists sits in traffic frothing at the mouth. I've seen it all.

Storm 10 · 14-11-2019 7:27pm

Stopped at traffic lights on the Tuam road today along comes a cyclist straight through the red lights then up onto the footpath all the way through Bohermore to the Square

Curious Geroge · 14-11-2019 8:02pm

What's on in town tonight, traffic all over the city

Mrs OBumble · 14-11-2019 8:08pm

Curious Geroge wrote: »

What's on in town tonight, traffic all over the city

Christmas jumper day in NUIG. Drunken kids in 'em wandering out in front of traffic all over town.

14-11-2019 8:32pm

There are graduations in NUIG also.

ratracer · 14-11-2019 9:40pm

Storm 10 wrote: »

Stopped at traffic lights on the Tuam road today along comes a cyclist straight through the red lights then up onto the footpath all the way through Bohermore to the Square

How many cars did you see break red lights?
How many drivers did you see on their phone?

See this “them and us” rubbish always crops up, why can’t everyone just share the road? Everybody should be able to get about each day and come home uninjured, regardless of their chosen mode of transport.

Fitz* · 14-11-2019 10:03pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Christmas jumper day in NUIG. Drunken kids in 'em wandering out in front of traffic all over town.

Students drinking does not cause traffic.

Gremlinertia · 14-11-2019 10:06pm

Even the real time signs in eyre square had scrolling note apologising for major delays due to congestion..

Utopia Parkway · 14-11-2019 10:13pm

Fairly messy in town tonight. Avoid if at all possible.

Mrs OBumble · 14-11-2019 10:27pm

FitzShane wrote: »

Students drinking does not cause traffic.

Students throwing bottles at cars, jumping out in front of cyclists, and falling over in the street causes major slowdowns.

cefh17 · 14-11-2019 10:29pm

FitzShane wrote: »

Students drinking does not cause traffic.

Hah, try driving in Eyre square now and tell me that it's like a normal Thursday evening

John_Rambo · 14-11-2019 10:41pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Students throwing bottles at cars, jumping out in front of cyclists, and falling over in the street causes major slowdowns.

OK.. if this is actually happening, it's unusual and not a regular Galway traffic issue.

(Are there really student jumping out in front of bikes and full on glass bottle throwing at traffic?)

ben.schlomo · 14-11-2019 11:15pm

John_Rambo wrote: »

OK.. if this is actually happening, it's unusual and not a regular Galway traffic issue.

(Are there really student jumping out in front of bikes and full on glass bottle throwing at traffic?)

Cycled through the Square a half hour ago and nobody 'jumped out in front of me', didn't witness any throwing of bottles either. Lots of drunk kids around but they're all on they're way down town towards Electric.

John_Rambo · 14-11-2019 11:23pm

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Cycled through the Square a half hour ago and nobody 'jumped out in front of me', didn't witness any throwing of bottles either. Lots of drunk kids around but they're all on they're way down town towards Electric.

You obviously weren't entrenched in the SKY NEWS HOTEL that Mrs OBumble is reporting from with her blue helmet.

Fitz* · 15-11-2019 6:44pm

Wel for certain Bus Eireann are definitely not trying to help with the traffic issue anyways. There is no incentive for people to take the bus around the city instead of driving. The services are getting worse it anything, in terms of reliability, punctuality and frequency.

This evening, I was trying to get the 405 from eastside towards Eyre Square and while at the stop waiting for bus at 16.00, it didn't show up and the same again at 16.20 and the same again at 16.40. During this time, the app was saying that buses were either coming or else over an hour away. The real time information on the bus Eireann site just said that there was no services at all, if the webpage actually loaded. There is no real time information signs at the majority of stops on the route either.

During all of this, I saw 2 single decker buses drive in the opposite direction to the terminus stop back to back. It's not that far to Hewlett Packard before turning around, probably around a 10 minute journey considering all of the factories finish early on a Friday. About 5 mins after they passed, a double decker who was driving on the route just turned off on a random turn and went 'out of service'.

About 25 mins after they passed, the 2nd of the single deckers arrived and was full. I just about got on. The first bus obviously also decided to go 'out of service'. As we drive towards Eyre Square , the driver was not letting people waiting at other stops onto the bus. They could have also been waiting 50+ mins for that bus. And there was no bus coming behind either as the other 2 were not going to complete the route.

Are Bus Eireann just trying to force people towards driving and adding to the traffic congestion?

ben.schlomo · 15-11-2019 6:48pm

FitzShane wrote: »

Wel for certain Bus Eireann are definitely not trying to help with the traffic issue anyways. There is no incentive for people to take the bus around the city instead of driving. The services are getting worse it anything, in terms of reliability, punctuality and frequency.

This evening, I was trying to get the 405 from eastside towards Eyre Square and while at the stop waiting for bus at 16.00, it didn't show up and the same again at 16.20 and the same again at 16.40. During this time, the app was saying that buses were either coming or else over an hour away. The real time information on the bus Eireann site just said that there was no services at all, if the webpage actually loaded. There is no real time information signs at the majority of stops on the route either.

During all of this, I saw 2 single decker buses drive in the opposite direction to the terminus stop back to back. It's not that far to Hewlett Packard before turning around, probably around a 10 minute journey considering all of the factories finish early on a Friday. About 5 mins after they passed, a double decker who was driving on the route just turned off on a random turn and went 'out of service'.

About 25 mins after they passed, the 2nd of the single deckers arrived and was full. I just about got on. The first bus obviously also decided to go 'out of service'. As we drive towards Eyre Square , the driver was not letting people waiting at other stops onto the bus. They could have also been waiting 50+ mins for that bus. And there was no bus coming behind either as the other 2 were not going to complete the route.

Are Bus Eireann just trying to force people towards driving and adding to the traffic congestion?

There are quicker options than both bus and car at peak times.

15-11-2019 7:48pm

Bus Eireann suffer from congestion too.

It's not in their gift to buy extra busses and hire extra staff.

Mrs OBumble · 16-11-2019 12:30am

John_Rambo wrote: »

You obviously weren't entrenched in the SKY NEWS HOTEL that Mrs OBumble is reporting from with her blue helmet.

Ahh yeah: one of us LIVES in the city centre, and had a great view of lots of yesterday's shyte.

Twitface had plenty for the rest of ye to see, if you bothered opening your eyes.

AndrewJRenko · 16-11-2019 1:33am

Jazmin Harsh Gold wrote: »

What about damage to cars, wing mirrors, handle bars scraping cars etc?

Because that is generally comparable to a broken spine or pelvis?

Mrs OBumble · 16-11-2019 1:47am

xckjoo wrote: »

There's no 1.5m requirement. It's "dangerous overtaking". So it would be hard for a cyclist to endanger a driver. I think it could technically be applied to a cyclist overtaking another cyclist though. But I'm not sure what that would look like

Very easy to endanger a pedestrian though.

As the number of cyclists in the road has increased, crossing in apparently stationary traffic has got more fraught.

16-11-2019 2:55am

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Very easy to endanger a pedestrian though.

As the number of cyclists in the road has increased, crossing in apparently stationary traffic has got more fraught.

Safe cross code

AndrewJRenko · 16-11-2019 7:40am

phelant wrote: »

Physically at any rate. The way some cyclists carry on is a mental assault to any law abiding motorist.

"mental assault" - there's a new theory. Would you like to expand on this, in the context of the recently released RSA Speed Survey showing that 98% of drivers breaking urban speed limits?

AndrewJRenko · 16-11-2019 7:48am

Storm 10 wrote: »

Stopped at traffic lights on the Tuam road today along comes a cyclist straight through the red lights then up onto the footpath all the way through Bohermore to the Square

Wow, that must have been scary and disturbing.
https://twitter.com/vincentbennett1/status/1195491162611757057?s=19

roytheboyo · 16-11-2019 8:31am

Hi All,
I am at the stage where the traffic is having a major negative impact on my life, and I, for one, would like to take some action.
We have all been giving out for years, but ultimately just roll over and take it.
Is there interest in protesting at city council offices? Erecting signs to highlight the impact this is having on people's lives etc.
The bypass is a decade away even if planning is received, more if a frog or inch of bog cotton has to be disturbed, meanwhile I'm spending 6 to 8 hours per week crossing a river. It's medieval.

16-11-2019 10:07am

Be the change you want to see in the world Roy.

Where are you travelling to and from and when? (Approximately)
Are there any other factors to consider?(dropping off/collecting kids, carrying tools or having to make more trips during the day etc.)
How are you travelling now?

zell12 · 16-11-2019 10:17am

The authorities only have one plan:
Build more roads for more motorists to be clogged up in.

We've been moaning since the 1960s on congestion and stupid parking everywhere.
Nothing will change as we are unwilling to change our own behaviour

phelant · 16-11-2019 10:22am

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

"mental assault" - there's a new theory. Would you like to expand on this, in the context of the recently released RSA Speed Survey showing that 98% of drivers breaking urban speed limits?

Yeah sure its called actually caring about cyclists and being concerned for their safety when they themselves cannot follow even the most simple of rules. It gets very tiresome. And check the stats all you want, its not in there.

Oh and I must be in the 2% - Woohoo!

roytheboyo · 16-11-2019 10:23am

I travel over and back several times a day for work, I don't want to make this about me.
I agree on the public transport bit, the problem is that those arguing against the bypass argue that public transport is required instead of the bypass, they should be arguing it is required as well as the bypass.
Totally agree about behaviour

fergiesfolly · 16-11-2019 10:45am

roytheboyo wrote: »

Hi All,
I am at the stage where the traffic is having a major negative impact on my life, and I, for one, would like to take some action.
We have all been giving out for years, but ultimately just roll over and take it.
Is there interest in protesting at city council offices? Erecting signs to highlight the impact this is having on people's lives etc.
The bypass is a decade away even if planning is received, more if a frog or inch of bog cotton has to be disturbed, meanwhile I'm spending 6 to 8 hours per week crossing a river. It's medieval.

It'd be a great idea...in any other town or city than Galway. There either isn't the will or the skill set to change the traffic issues in this city.
You might as well be protesting against Santa outside City Hall for all the good it would do. And that's nearly as depressing as the traffic.

I'd be in favour of a plebiscite to reallocate the funds for a bypass that may never get built.
Let an independent body put forward plans for the city...parkn'ride, bus lanes, bike lanes etc and let the citizens vote on it.
And then follow through on it. If it's one way bus lanes, trams, bike paths and car bans, so be it. Spend the money, get it built.
Don't let anyone from City Hall within an asses roar of it though.

flazio · 16-11-2019 11:28am

Well, let's go back to the council election promises the councillors made, book into their "clinics" and demand answers on where they are on their promises. Keep writing to mainstream media, the like of Galway Bay FM, Tribune, Advertiser, not the Facebook trigger quacks. It's frustrating but protests and signs can be ignored, one to one conversations cannot.
We had our say in the council elections now lets use it.

16-11-2019 11:34am

fergiesfolly wrote: »

let the citizens vote on it.

If that happened back in the day, Shop st would never have been pedestrianised

Sometimes people need to have the decisions made for them otherwise they will vote for Brexit

16-11-2019 11:39am

There would have been war on the streets over Mutton Island.

fergiesfolly · 16-11-2019 12:36pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

If that happened back in the day, Shop st would never have been pedestrianised

Sometimes people need to have the decisions made for them otherwise they will vote for Brexit

Brexit happened because of an illegal campaign and lack of true public awareness of the implications of a leave vote.
Here, referenda are held after consultation and public awareness campaigns.
Let us have a panel from all spectrum across the city( shop owners, business owners, factory managers, schools, public and private transport, householders and commuters) and professional traffic and city planners from outside city control. Meetings for six months to evaluate the problems and a further six to twelve to draw up plans for our city.
Put it to a vote. Start work.

Mrs OBumble · 16-11-2019 1:02pm

fergiesfolly wrote: »

I'd be in favour of a plebiscite to reallocate the funds for a bypass that may never get built.

What funds?

All that's allocated for so far is design work.

How the Cork-Limerick motorway looking these days? What's the cost-benefit of it vs the Parkmore / Knocknacarra expressway?

AndrewJRenko · 16-11-2019 1:11pm

phelant wrote: »

Yeah sure its called actually caring about cyclists and being concerned for their safety when they themselves cannot follow even the most simple of rules. It gets very tiresome. And check the stats all you want, its not in there.

If you 'actually care' about any road users, your priority would be get drivers to stop killing people. Drivers are involved in 99% of road deaths. Cyclists are involved in 5%. The majority of road deaths are drivers killing other drivers and passengers. So without even looking at blame or responsibility, it's easy to see where the root cause lies. If you 'actually care' about reducing death and injury on the roads, get drivers to slow down and put their phones down.

It's hard to take preaching about 'being able to follow rules' too seriously from the group of road users where 98% break speed limits, the majority use their mobile phones at the wheel, 2nd highest levels of checking social media while driving in Europe etc etc.

phelant wrote: »

Oh and I must be in the 2% - Woohoo!

Wow, that's just amazing. I mean, how likely is that, when you really think about it?

AndrewJRenko · 16-11-2019 1:15pm

fergiesfolly wrote: »

Let us have a panel from all spectrum across the city( shop owners, business owners, factory managers, schools, public and private transport, householders and commuters) and professional traffic and city planners from outside city control. Meetings for six months to evaluate the problems and a further six to twelve to draw up plans for our city.
Put it to a vote. Start work.

Doesn't that describe the local election process that's just happened?

Honestly, it's a bit ridiculous to suggest public voting on every public decision. Would you put your own personal medical treatment to a public vote, or would you rely on expert opinion?

fergiesfolly · 16-11-2019 1:21pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

What funds?

All that's allocated for so far is design work.

How the Cork-Limerick motorway looking these days? What's the cost-benefit of it vs the Parkmore / Knocknacarra expressway?

So, you're saying that they've spent a decade+ designing and redesigning a by-pass( ring road) there's no money for?

I have no idea of the cost-benefit of one over the other is. Like I said... gather a forum, include unbiased professional planners in it. Formulate a plan or several plans and put it to a public vote.

JCX BXC · 16-11-2019 1:22pm

Votes and referendums are a tricky game in the modern world, I certainly wouldn't be putting issues such as traffic congestion to a vote. Save that for constitutional and social issues.

Cyclists and cars and cyclists and cars etc, is there not somewhere else ye can get offended and annoyed at eachother about this? From what I can see it's next to no effect on the traffic issues here, so spare us!

JCX BXC · 16-11-2019 1:23pm

fergiesfolly wrote: »

So, you're saying that they've spent a decade+ designing and redesigning a by-pass( ring road) there's no money for?

Of course, I'd recommend learning about how these projects work. Why 'allocate' (set aside for years more like?) funding for a project that's not even got past planning?

Galway traffic

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