— Bicycles used by parents carrying children and people with disabilities being forced onto main road due to new arrangements.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said today that it will review a restrictive barrier on a popular cycle route in Blackrock Park, Co Dublin after members of the public complaint that the barrier would force users onto the main road.
Users of the park and local cycling campaigners said that a change in the kerbing beside the long-standing barrier meant that the route would be a no-go for larger bicycles used by people with disabilities and parents carrying children, including cargo bicycles or in trailers.
A spokesperson for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said: “The Council has recently upgraded the edge of the existing path at the junction of the entrance to Blackrock Park and adjoining pedestrian bridge. The footprint / width of the path has not been altered, just the edge of the path has been defined by a kerb. As there is a confluence of a number of lanes at that point, the intention of these works was to make that section of the park safer for pedestrians. With regard to larger bicycles getting through the entrance, we will review the existing barrier layout early next week and arrange to carry out any required alterations.”
This was just some of the responses to the changes online before the review was announced:
There’s the DLR Cycling Office making it difficult for people cycling through Blackrock Park again. It’s now extremely difficult to impossible to get a bike with trailer or cargo bike through the park now. Let’s see 100 complaints made to DLR on this one. CC @dlrcycling pic.twitter.com/v6MnBZXtDl
— Keith Byrne (@keithburner) March 3, 2020
Respect for people with disabilities? #cyclingforallagesandabilities? Encouraging active/sustainable travel @dlrcc ..I don't think so. A safe alternative to the Merrion Road for cyclists of all ages and abilities? Shame @dlrcc https://t.co/CSqBnyw6Ri pic.twitter.com/jelUbtUPyV
— Cycling Without Age Ireland (@age_cycling) March 4, 2020
Well, for people who use bikes as mobility aids they’re not only being forced to forgo that aid but also and at the same time lift/manoeuvre that mobility aid too, some of which such as e-bikes are particularly heavy, or be prohibited entirely.
— Mary Caulfield (@SusanTheSilent) March 3, 2020
Also, it must be remembered that the mount and dismount phase of cycling is the most vulnerable for all cyclists but especially for those with mobility and/or balance issues. Making it a double whammy for #CyclistsWithDisabilities
— Mary Caulfield (@SusanTheSilent) March 3, 2020
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I just hope that DLR Council will consult with non-standard bicycle users when they say “we will review the existing barrier layout early next week and arrange to carry out any required alterations.” Currently the only ‘alternative’ way to exit Blackrock Park at the Blackrock end is via a very, very steep hill leading up to the main road at the bottom of Mount Merrion Avenue. Even on a regular bicycle, this is almost vertical. #CyclistswithDisabilities should be consulted.
The stupid thing is that the entrance at opposite end of the park at Booterstown doesn’t have a kissing gate coming right off the road.
It’s not about making the entrance safe for pedestrians as the path is narrow, there’s a narrow bridge with spiked railings and a pair of 90 degree turns to navigate directly after leaving the park to go toward the Dart station, so even if any cyclist wanted to, they simply can’t ride here at high speeds.
Totally inept.
That Path leads to a much narrower path along the DART line, do larger bikes even fit down that path. It needs to be widened.