No amount of bollards will make some sections of the interim Liffey Cycle Route on the south quays safe and comfortable, according to the chairperson of the Dublin Cycling Campaign.
The council has so-far implemented the bulk of works from Capel Street Bridge to James Joyce Bridge at Blackhall Place. Updated: ‘Stumpy’ bollards were added to some sections of the cycle lane since this article was published yesterday.
Measures implemented so-far includes new sections of shared bus lanes; sections of narrow cycle lanes; and parking, loading and bus stops inside cycle lane.
The left turn filter lane from the quays to Lower Bridge Street has been removed but the left turn filter from Lower Bridge Street onto the quays has been retained.
Where the filter lane onto Lower Bridge Street was remove, a very large footpath has been created but the cycle lane seems to be around 1.5 metres, which is below 1.75 metre minimum width outlined in the National Cycle Manual. On the other side of the junction, outside the post office on Usher’s Quay, a section of the cycle lane drops to just around 1 metre.
The work from James Joyce Bridge and Heuston station is yet to be substantially started except for work on the traffic islands on front of the train station.
Kevin Baker, chairperson of the Dublin Cycling Campaign, said: “The Interim Liffey Cycle Route is of mixed quality. No amount of bollards will make some sections of the new cycle lanes safe and comfortable. A cycle route is only as good as it’s weakest link. The south quays has made dangerous section even in areas they have just upgraded.”
He added: “The south quays has dangerous sections, even in areas the council have just upgraded.”
Baker posted a video of the progress so-far on the project to YouTube:
This shorter clip was also posted to Twitter:
The first section of the new cycle way along the south quays is marked out. It’s wider, which is welcome, although punches in at points. But not a lots of room for separator kerbs or planters by the looks of it. pic.twitter.com/bBOgDFeOkr
— Stephen Coyne (@stephen_coyne) April 17, 2021
The Dublin Commuter Coalition said on Twitter: “Having cycled this section last night we’re very disappointed. Sections have parking retained on both sides of the road instead of any attempt at protection.”
They added: “It was genuinely frightening trying to navigate it in heavy traffic.”
Stills from the YouTube video:
