The OPW has closed sections of two cycle tracks in Phoenix Park for the duration of Bloom, which is being held over the Bank Holiday weekend in the park and is one of the busiest times of the year for traffic in the park.
As well as affecting people traveling to Bloom from Dublin 15, the park is a commuter route for people cycling from areas such as Castleknock, the wider Dublin 15 area and Navan Roads areas into the city centre.
The closure of the cycle tracks in the park has been overseen by two State agencies — the OPW, which runs the park, and Bord Bia, which runs Bloom which is described as “Ireland’s largest and most spectacular gardening event.”
Fingal Cycling, a branch of the Dublin Cycling Campaign, tweeted the above image and said: “Cycle lane along Chesterfield Avenue is closed to cater for shuttle buses going to @BordBiaBloom. Be careful when merging onto the main road.”
It is understood that the section of the cycle lane on Chesterfield Avenue is closed for the shuttle bus drop-off point, while the cycle path along North Road has also been closed to facilitate a car parking area on grass in the park.
IrishCycle.com this evening has asked both Bord Bia and the OPW for comment about the closures. Including, why, given that cycle paths are provided for both safety and environmental reasons, the two State bodes have closed two cycle tracks in Phoenix Park for the duration of Bloom. This article will be updated if a response is forthcoming.
UPDATE: People cycling pushed into traffic in Phoenix Park as cycle lanes “closed for safety.”
The Dublin Cycling Campaign is providing free guarded parking at the southern entrance to Bloom.
The campaign tweeted around 1pm: “Getting really busy now at @bordbiabloom cycle parking centre – Great to see so many people coming by bike … And thanks @DubCityCouncil for the saddle covers!”
