— Campaigners say non-priority layout goes against new standards, but officials say there are exceptions allowed for.
Limerick cyclists are calling into question yield markings on a new cycle path in the city and say that an education campaign aimed at motorists should replace the markings.
The yield markings are on filling station entrances and minor junctions along the Childers Road cycle path, which was built as part of an active travel project.
Campaigners have said that the markings should be removed and instead, the council should run an information campaign, just as Dublin City Council is doing for its new projects. The Dublin public information campaign includes a raft of social media posts, illustrative videos and advertisements on bus shelters, on the back of buses and in shops.
Breian Dunne, a cyclist who uses the Childers Road route and posted about the issue on Twitter, said: “Drivers coming out of here should be yielding to cyclists and pedestrians here, not the other way around, especially since they’re all raised crossings so cars are slowing anyway.”
Speaking to IrishCycle.com, he said: “There’s loads of cyclists using that cycle lane, so I still don’t get the idea of putting the yield marking there, especially since even if the side roads were busier, it would still make no sense… it absolutely shouldn’t be happening as there is a clear view of the road from behind them since its an open area.”
The Cycle Design Manual, published by the National Transport Authority, outlines that people cycling should typically be given priority in urban areas. But Limerick City and County Council points out that the manual allows for exceptions to the rule.
A spokesperson from the council’s Active Travel team said: “The section of Childers Road referenced approaching Roxboro Roundabout has high traffic volumes of approximately 15,000 vehicles per day. The nature of the junctions for vehicular traffic entering the filling station and Roxboro Shopping Centre are unique, with two way traffic permitted in both entering and exiting the junction, at either side of the facility.”
They continued: “The yield signs, with this in mind, have been included at these junctions as a safety measure for cyclists, intended to highlight awareness of approaching a busy vehicular junction. The yield signs are intended to exercise caution for the cyclist, with vehicular traffic already slowing on approach due to the newly implemented raised crossings at the junctions.”
“In the current Cycle Design Manual’s section relating to typical layouts for cycle infrastructure, provision is made for two-way cycle tracks crossing side roads without priority “for side road junctions where it is considered necessary,” the spokesperson said.
They added: “Given the busy nature of the road and the nature of two way turning traffic at both junctions turning in and out of the filling station, Limerick City & County Council’s Active Travel team considers it necessary at this location for the current signage arrangement to be in place.”
Dave Tobin, a member of the Limerick Cycling Campaign and deputy chair of the national Irish Cycling Campaign, said the yield marking should be removed.
Tobin said: “The Childer’s Road project has been an exceptionally transformational project for Limerick City and a huge success for the Active Travel team. Cyclists in Limerick are delighted with the new infrastructure, but concerns have been raised about both yield markings and traffic light timings.”
“The addition of the yield markings here is creating mixed messaging for both cyclist and car driver. The addition of the yield markings, although coming from an understandable place, isn’t helpful for either drivers or cyclists and I’m concerned that it may inadvertently lead to reduced safety as a result,” he said.
Tobin added: “I think the removal of these markings and an education campaign aimed at drivers similar to the one rolled out in Dublin would help cement in how this new infrastructure should be approached.”
I think an educational campaign for whoever in the council decides on road markings would be useful too. This type of inconsistency creates confusion and will contribute to an accident here or somewhere else.