Month: May 2010

Large Dublin section of Grand Canal cycle route nearly finished

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NOTE: This article is about the route between Inchicore and Adamstown, if you are looking for the latest news on the Canals Route closer to Dublin City Centre, try our home page or have a look in our cycling routes category.

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The outer section of the Grand Canal cycle and walking route is close to being finished. It is due to be opened by South Dublin County Council on Friday June 18, at the end of Bike Week 2010.

As shown in the photograph above, it’s a large path with lighting along side it. There will also be CCTV on the route.

It will link the Lock Road, near Adamstown and south Lucan, to the Blackhorse Luas stop between Inchicore and Drimnagh. It will run close to Park West, Clondalkin, Walkinstown, and Ballyfermot. It is easily accessible from the City Centre.

It’s just under 8.5km, but with just a few road crossings along the route, it will be quicker than cycling on roads with many junctions. Pedestrian and cycle lights are at the few junctions, but have yet to be turned on.

At least one section is still blocked off and completely unsurfaced, while other sections are accessible but currently have different surface quality. If you attempt to use it at the moment, note that only pedestrian gates are open and construction work is still ongoing.

It is planned the route will eventually continue further into the city and into the Docklands. Dublin City Council is currently planning to build another section under the name Dublin Canals Cycle Route, this will go from Rathmines to Fairview Park on the northside where it will link up with part of the planned Sutton to Sandcove cycle route around Dublin Bay.

The missing link between Rathmines and Inchicore has been surveyed by the city council, but no firm plans to upgrade it have being announced. There are also no firm plans for an upgrade of the Royal Canal path beyond a small section near the Docklands. Although, most of the Royal Canal is passable near Dublin, the surface quality varies and pedestrian gates slow access at points.

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The above shows how wide the path is, as well as the scenic nature of the route.

More below:

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Funding for Smarter Travel cycling projects

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2610907483_8533156059_mThe Department of Transport has outlined a full list of demonstration Smarter Travel projects, which it will fund or part fund. The cycling-related projects in the Dublin area are listed below in bold.

A total of 121 applications were received and funding is being made available for 30 of these projects. The fund is €15m fund over 5 years, €3m of which will be made available to the successful projects in 2010, including the below projects.

The department says, “The Minister set up this fund to support innovative sustainable travel projects and kick start delivery of the Smarter Travel agenda at a local level.”

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Bike Week 2010 announced

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J0218630079More details of Bike Week 2010 were announced yesterday by the Department of Transport:

Press release

14 May 2010

Cycling legend Sean Kelly joined Ministers Noel Dempsey and Ciarán Cuffe as they announced the details of Bike Week 2010 today

Minister Dempsey said, “I’m delighted that Sean has joined us for this launch. Sean not only lifted the hearts of the nation during the eighties and nineties with his extraordinary cycling achievements but he also raised awareness of cycling generally during his wonderful career. Bike Week aims to raise the profile of cycling – for leisure, competition and commuting – not only during the period 13 to 20 June, but throughout the year.”

Minister Cuffe said, “Bike Week is about connecting with different types of cyclists: the regular cycling commuter; the sports cyclist and those leisure cyclists who may not get on the bike as often as they’d like. In implementing the National Cycling Policy, of which Bike Week is a key part, we’re trying to get more people to choose the bike as their primary mode of transport and to realise the health and fitness benefits of cycling regularly. As an everyday cyclist, it’s great to see that so many events will be taking place locally across the island of Ireland as part of Bike Week.”

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