Sir, – Motorists and pedestrians who have no experience of cycling may believe that a cycle lane is ideal for cyclists, and that they are legally obliged to use them when provided. Neither is the case. Cyclists are legally entitled to use roadways, regardless of whether someone has seen fit to create a supposed cycling lane adjacent to the road.
The principal reason many cyclists continue to use the road, rather than cycle lanes, is that many cycle lanes are poorly designed, poorly maintained or poorly segregated from other road traffic. I am aware of “cycle lanes” that are interrupted every 50 metres by dangerous gratings, are too narrow to facilitate safe cycling, are painted along the side of roadways leaving the outer lane too narrow for cars to pass, end abruptly at high kerbs or signposts, or, in the case of a recently created high-profile lane in Cork, used daily as a car park. Even those lanes that are usable are frequently filled with uneven surfaces and road debris, including broken glass, a major hazard to bicycle tyres.
I suspect that many of these lanes have been created by councils anxious to show that they have designated a given number of kilometres for cyclists, but bereft of the roadspace or resources to create safe, usable lanes.
Many “designated cycle lanes” share footpaths with pedestrians, inviting conflict and accidents unless both groups of users rigidly confine themselves to their designated lanes, thereby limiting the amount of footpath available for walkers.
It would be helpful if councils would stop creating the impression among the non-cycling public that adequate cycle lanes have been provided, and restrict themselves to creating such lanes that can actually be safely used, and then maintaining them.– Yours, etc,
ADRIAN BRADY,
Menloe Gardens,
Blackrock,
Cork.
Sir, – Surely it is time for a congestion charge broadly within the confines of the area currently covered by the five-axle truck ban in Dublin city centre?
We currently and ridiculously levy a substantial toll on a three-lane superhighway around the city centre (M50) while allowing traffic to crawl into the city centre every morning uncharged, much of it to untaxed city centre car park spaces, which are often provided free of charge by the State and other big employers to their employees. This traffic emerges later that evening, all at the same time, clogging our streets and seriously compromising the efficacy of our public bus system.
A congestion charge would instantly free up road space for cyclists, buses and people who genuinely need to be there. – Yours, etc,
DES KELLY,
Griffeen Glen Way,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
A chara, – As residents of the Smithfield/Stoneybatter area of the capital, we heartily welcome Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan's courageous initiative to reduce the flow of cars along the North Quays, and to provide for safer cycling journeys. Those not living in the vicinity of the quays, but rather driving through en route to work, shopping or entertainment, will find it difficult to imagine the impact for local people of the long-term prioritising of motorised transport in the city centre. These include numerous cyclist and pedestrian deaths and injuries, serious and ongoing health risks from reduced air quality, and ongoing noise pollution.
An individual driver commuting to work along this route may believe that they are simply going about their business in a convenient manner, and seek to ease this journey. It is the cumulative effect of tens of thousands of such commuter decisions made each day that is of concern to many residents in areas adjoining the quays. Accepting such a scenario as normal is where the real “madness” lies. In the public interest, we call on our city representatives to support unreservedly the implementation of this plan, a small step towards reclaiming the neglected river banks for more multifaceted public use. – Yours, etc,
SEAN SHANAGHER
and MELANIE HOEWER,
Finn Street,
Stoneybatter, Dublin 7.