Year: 2013

High-vis on cyclists unlikely to stop dangerous overtaking

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High-visibility vests, often handed out by the Gardai and schools, are unlikely to help cyclists from the most dangerous overtaking according to researchers.

The conclusions came from a study using an ultrasonic distance sensor attached to a bicycle used on a daily commute.

The average gap which a motorist left while overtaking the cyclist was recorded at 1.18 meters, a decrease of more than half a meter from a study at the end of the 70s when the average gap was 1.79 meters.

Today’s average is notable shy of the 1.5 meter minimum passing distance recommended by safety bodies, including the Road Safety Authority.

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New greenway in County Mayo set to open in Spring

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aA new 9 km greenway between Castlebar and the National Museum of Country Life, Turlough, Co Mayo is set to open in Spring.

The route which follows the Castlebar River and runs parallel to the N5 is planned to form part of a network of greenways around Mayo.

A number of planned projects combined would result in a walking and cycle network linking Killala to Westport via Ballina, Foxford, and Castlebar. At Westport it would link it with the Great Western Greenway and an under construction route to Croke Patrick, which in-turn link is planned to link to the planned Connemara Greenway to Galway City.

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Speed limits review isn’t “more credible”

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Speed limit review
Only in Ireland: A 60km/h school zone pictured on the cover of the Speed Limits Review report

“We need to ensure that the right speed limits are in operation on the right roads” said transport minister Leo Varadkar at the start of the year when he announced that speed limits will be reviewed. Yesterday the Speed Limits Review report was published.

The aim, the report says, is to restore credibility in speed limits which it’s hopped will “improve safety and reduce collisions”

But the report just isn’t credible.

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Dispute cuts off another section of Great Western Greenway

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GW greenway
The Great Western Greenway near Westport

Cyclists and walkers on Mayo’s Great Western Greenway are being misled to believe a 1.6km diversion onto a main road is because of construction work – a dispute between landowners and the council is the real reason behind the closure.

The Mayo News reports that that Mayo County Council has erected signs saying the greenway from Westport to Achill is closed due to construction, but further up the greenway the route is fenced off with signs saying “keep out” and “private property”.

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Cycling should be centre stage when “kick starting change” along the Liffey

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A depiction by David Jordan and Fergus Browne of what O’Connell Bridge could look like: But where are the cycle lanes? Where are the cyclists?

ANALYSIS: An independent project which is seeking to “kick start change along the Liffey Corridor” is to present their vision of Dublin’s quays to Dublin City councillors today, but cyclists don’t fare well in detail of the new vision.

The vision from Fergus Browne and David Jordan, who are both urban designers and urban planners, is called “the 21st Century Liffey Project” — including removal of clutter and more space for pedestrians. The research project is supported by but not endorsed by Dublin City Council.

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Councillors’ calls to tackle rat runs fall on deaf ears

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Arnott Street
Arnott Street

Dublin City Council officials told councillors on Monday that the primary reason traffic calming measures are being ruled out for a residential street is because the 50km/h speed limit is not being exceeded on the short and narrow street (pictured, right).

Although the road and traffic department said it would re-examine the situation on Arnott Street in Portobello because of the large petition from residents, councillors complained that the issue was going on for too long.

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