Mixed views on new cycle lane dividers in Dublin -- IrishCycle.com

PLEASE NOTE: This article is from December 2018.

Plastic “Orca” dividers installed on a cycle lane in Dublin this week has fired up mixed opinion — with then being viewed as everything from welcomed light segregation to hazards for right-turning cyclists and it not being real segregation.

...I'm sorry to disrupt you while you're reading this article, but without messages like this, IrishCycle.com's reader-funded journalism won't survive. With nearly 1/2 million views and 300k readers so-far this year, it's not just people who are dedicated to cycling that this website reaches. However, the number of subscribers is around 0.6% of readers. While having a large gap between readers/subscribers is standard for non-paywall reader-supported journalism, IrishCycle's journalism needs more support. Don't delay, support monthly or yearly today. Now, back to the article...

The Orcas were installed on Leason Street approaching St Stephen’s Green.

The Orcas are similar to but different than “Armadillos” humps. Orcas are rounded on the cycling lane side and have a flat face on the side installed towards motorists, while Armadillos are rounded on both sides.

Unusually, at least compared to high-profile examples in the UK, the plastic kerbs on Leason Street were installed on a broken-lined cycle lane, where driving and loading is not illegal, unless a clearway is in effect. The width of the lane is also narrower than recommended for segregation.

Twitter users have also posted images of a Guinness truck over the Orcas and An Post van parked positioned before them.

Dublin City Council have yet to answer questions sent by IrishCycle.com, but the council’s @DCCTraffic account confirmed it was the council who installed the plastic kerbs, not “gorilla” bicycle protection has has happen in other countries.

@DCCTraffic said: “Orca Kerbing have been installed by Dublin City Council on Leeson Street as a further safety measure for cyclists in the city.”

Orca Kerbing have been installed by Dublin City Council on Leeson Street as a further safety measure for cyclists in the city. pic.twitter.com/b5DNZf64bw

— Traffic Management Centre (@DCCTraffic) December 5, 2018

Was on leeson st and excited to actually see the armadillos and of course there’s both a post van and a Guinness lorry parked over them… pic.twitter.com/CPflcMoW6Z

— Nollaig Shona Buit (@bewkhewker) December 5, 2018

It was great to see @DubCityCouncil‘s new ‘armadillos’ in action on Leeson Street this morning. They seem to be very effective at keeping drivers from encroaching on the cycle lane. This used to be a pinch point for cyclists approaching Stephen’s Green. #QuickWinsDublin pic.twitter.com/Jzfiimqhj0

— Dublin Cycling 🚲 (@dublincycling) December 4, 2018

Used it this morning at 8.45, first time I haven’t been squeezed there. Very effective, pretty intimidating for cars, more realistic than poles if 2 buses or trucks need the extra space momentarily to pass…. Bravo @DubCityCouncil

.

— Hans Frederiks (@HFrederiks) December 3, 2018

Parking over the kerbs is a problem others have had:

Van parked in cycle lane this evening so pushed me across into traffic which wasn’t expecting me to be there! Great in theory!!

— Prof Danielle Clarke (@rhetorician) December 4, 2018

...That's the end of the article. Keep scrolling if you want to the comments, but IrishCycle.com *NEEDS* readers like you to keep it that way. It only requires a small percentage of readers to give a bit each month or every year to keep IrishCycle.com's journalism open to all. Thank you.