Green Party Castleknock ward candidate, Roderic O’Gorman has called on Fingal County Council to follow the Governments lead and implement more measures to encourage and support cycling. He was speaking after a number of announcements in the budget which were of benefit to cyclists.
In what was a very tough budget, one of the few positive points was the two new initiatives that the Government has brought forward to support cyclists. Firstly, a tax exemption on bicycles and bike safety equipment of up to €1,000 per person, for those who use it to cycle to work. This is to encourage employers help their employees meet the cost of switching to the bike.
Secondly, an investment of €5 million in upgrading cycling routes in Dublin City. This will be focused on improving safety for cyclists.
I’ve spoken to many people in Dublin 15 who have switched to cycling to work for a variety of reasons – it’s healthier, with the rise in fuel prices it’s cheaper and due to the traffic congestion in the area, its now often faster than the car! However, almost everyone I have spoken to have told me of some story regarding narrowly missed accidents.
In particular, many local cyclists have highlighted to me how dangerous it is to try and cycle toward Chapelizod and from there into town, with Tower Road near Castleknock College and the Knockmaroon Hill being particular blackspots. Some cyclists said they simply have to cycle on the footpath due to safety concerns.
The Government have made moves to make cycling more attractive and safer. Now it is up to Fingal County Council to play its part. There needs to be an examination of the volume and direction of cycle paths in the area. A look at the Dublin Transport Offices map of cycle lanes in Dublin 15 clearly shows that there is a big gap for cyclists between the Blanchardstown area and the new cycle lane along the N3 by the Phoenix Park racecourse development. Further, there are virtually no cycle lanes in and around Castleknock village.
Over the next two years, the Council needs to interact with cyclists in the area and learn what their specific needs are. Possibly, some consideration could be given to speaking to Waterways Ireland and arranging for a high quality cycle path to be developed alongside the Royal Canal.
Also, the Council should go further in developing the cycling/walking to school element of the Green Schools Programme, which has received extra funding from the Department of Transport over the year. Many parents would love to let their kids walk or cycle to school, but they are simply too scared to let them out on the roads in Dublin 15 because there are not enough cycle paths and pedestrian facilities are so poor.
In the run up to the local elections next June, I intend to focus strongly on the lack of cycling and pedestrian facilities across Castleknock, Carpenterstown and Blanchardstown. If I am elected to the Council next year, ensuring that those who wish to walk or cycle, be they young or old, will be able to do so will be a top priority for me.
Hello Roderick. I just picked up your Site from a UK site velochickcycling in 4+4 Country. She is also a New Green Party Member in UK. That Knockmaroon Hill is Lethal at any time for Car Drivers not alone Cyclists. The Cycle Lanes in Ireland are very Small and would want to be Tripled in Width, and most of the Time you are competing with Buses on Bus Lanes. The Cycle Lanes should be behind the Bus Lanes and not in front. The Police should Fine Motorists for Parking on Cycling Lanes and also Driving on them. On some Cycling Lanes in the City there are Signs saying Cycling Lanes Apply between 7am- 19.00 Mon – Sat should not that be 24 Hours all Day and every Day. Cyclists Ride before 7am in Morning and after 7.00pm in Evening and on Sunday too. The Cars should give way to Cyclists and not the other way around. We Cyclists want the Infrastructure as good as the Netherlands and Denmark no second Rate Service. We want good decent wide Segregated Cycle Paths,preferably with Pedestrianised Areas where no Cars are allowed in our Cities and Towns. Remember Cycling Infrastructure is Dirt Cheap and is very easy on the Road Surface less Maintenance. Do not let the Motoring Lobby Dictate to you. I am not a Resident of Castleknock but the Clontarf Area,but the same Aspirations apply to all the Cycling Public. We do not want Cycling Lanes that start and suddenly End 50 Metres further up the Road like they Have in a few Places in Dublin like Swords for instance at an Estate on Forest Road nearly opposite the Golf Club. Thanks Jack.
one final Note we could do with Cycle Lanes connecting Different Cities and Towns across the Land like they have in European Countries
Jack.
I forgot about Knockmaroon Hill. Try making it one way for Cars ,have them only going up the Hill and not coming down it and a speed limit of 15kph. Narrow the Road and have the other Half for Cyclists and Pedestrians two way of course.Or better still ban Motor Traffic on it completely except those that actually live on the Hill.
John, I think you make some very valid point there about cycle lanes. The approach really seems to be to fit them in where there is some room to spare, but then, as you say, the disappear when space gets tight.
All across Blanch and Castleknock, any cycle lanes that are in existence are disjointed. I think the first thing the Council needs to do is to audit the existing cycle lanes and engage with cyclists to determine which routes would benefit most from having a well developed cycle path.