Footpath Solution

at

On the Finglas Road, Dublin

As a pedestrian, I am interested in the debate concerning cyclists who do not feel safe while cycling on the road. Following a few recent near-misses with cyclists and skateboarders on local footpaths, I now feel anything but safe while out walking. Maybe a solution would be “pedestrian only” lanes on footpaths? Or should pedestrians consider wearing crash helmets?

Anne Cahill,
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22.

Pedestrian safety (Irish Times letters page)

Pic and related: Footpaths are for cyclists when it suits Dublin’s councils (Irish Cycle, 2011) 

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21 thoughts on “Footpath Solution

  1. Owen

    The answer is in the name: FOOTpath.

    Cyclist should be on the road. Yes, there should be better lanes for them, but they should not be on the path. And while on the road they should obey the rules of the road.

  2. Bertie Blenkinsop

    That’s facing The Bottom of the Hill pub.

    That’s not a pedestrian lane, it’s the outline of a body.

  3. MrGavoB

    When people give out about cyclists not using bike lanes. I always point to these types of hybrid deathtraps as the reason I stay on the road. I’ll take my changes with the traffic rather than mix with unpredictable pedestrians.
    Not to blame pedestrians of course. You can’t stick some white paint on the ground and expect it work like some sort of magic herding device.
    I’ve seen a few of these around the city that go around THE FRONT of bus stops. Madness.

        1. shitferbrains

          More so. If the old fashioned bell isn’t cool anymore then they should use a digital beeper or something. Especially in parks where you tend to forget about cyclists.

  4. ineverthoughtidenduphere

    ‘No Cycling’ markings on footpaths at problem points would be a start. It’s a ever increasing problem that Dublin City Council have failed to address.

  5. paul

    this came up when the story about the ex-banker/accountant/something who half-strangled a cyclist was in the papers earlier this year. The legal side of it (from memory) was that as long as a cyclist isn’t affecting pedestrians, they are allowed to co-habitate on pathways. How far this ‘effect’ goes is the issue.

    Personally, if a cyclist on a path has to swerve in any way to dodge a pedestrian, they are affecting the pedestrian and should move to the road.

  6. Bruncvik

    Something similar is along Navan Road near the Ashtown Roundabout. I walk along the path a few days per week, and have yet to have a single issue with cyclists. I also walk across the Beckett Bridge nearly every day, also without an issue (even though there I should note that having green lights for pedestrians and cyclists at the same time is beyond stupid, but that’s beyond the scope of the shared footpath topic).

  7. Vote Rep #1

    This raises an interesting question, we know that cyclists should be either in their lane or on the road but what of the skateboarders? Where should they go because they seem to be pretty annoying no matter which lane they choose.

  8. Gorev Mahagut

    For pedestrians, a cycle lane is a footpath that cyclists are allowed to use.
    For cyclists, a cycle lane is a road that cars are not allowed drive on.
    For joggers, a cycle lane is a contra-flow jogging lane.
    For drivers, cycle lanes and footpaths are 24-hour free parking.

  9. Thepaps

    Hi Anne,

    Yes you should consider wearing a helmet, a high viz jacket when it’s dark, perhaps consider wearing knee pads and elbow pads incase you take a tumble, a torch or flashlight. None of these are mandatory, but as a vulnerable pedestrian it’s important to make yourself visible. I also hope you never cross the road unless it’s green, never set foot in a bike lane, because to write such a sanctimonious letter you must be absolutely perfect to.

  10. Daithi

    Cyclists should have registration plates, be tested/licenced, have insurance and should pay road tax. Then they wold be entitled to cycle lanes and better condition roads.

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