From top: cyclists protest outside Leinster House last year; Robert Troy

This afternoon.

At 12.47pm, the Dáil will vote on greater investment in cycling in a motion  brought by Fianna Fáil Transport Spokesperson Robert Troy.

Members of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Labour, Green Party, People Before Profit, Social Democrats and some independents have said they will support the motion which asks that Dáil Éireann recognise:

 That chronic congestion is grinding our cities and road arteries to a halt, making it more difficult and more unpleasant for people to get to work;

That Ireland lags behind our European peers in the provision of safe cycling infrastructure, such as dedicated cycle lanes, secure bike storage facilities and cyclist-friendly traffic lights.

That the largest cycling conference in the world is due to take place in Dublin in June 2019, and that Ireland needs to show progress on the development of cycling infrastructure;

And condemns:

 The considerable safety risks that cyclists face on Irish roads, owing to our poorly developed cycling infrastructure.

The current low funding allocations for cycling at only approximately two per cent of the overall land transport capital budget.

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport’s failure to bring forward legislation requiring drivers to maintain a minimum distance when passing cyclists.

And calls on the Government to:

 Prioritise the rollout of dedicated cycle tracks, that are physically segregated from other road users, across the country;

 Place cycling infrastructure at the heart of transport infrastructure planning by appointing a dedicated cycling officer to every local authority at an appropriate level of seniority, and by establishing a dedicated cycling division within the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to coordinate activity and projects across all departments;

Introduce cycle friendly legislative initiatives, similar to those of our European neighbours to promote the growth of cycling, including contra-flow cycling, left turn at red lights and joint use of pedestrian crossings.

Build on the successes of bike sharing schemes by expanding these schemes to major suburbs of towns and cities.

Revise the Bike to Work scheme to allow commuters to purchase a new bike every three years instead of every five years, and to extend this scheme to pensioners and unemployed people.

FIGHT!

Dáil to vote on motion on investment in cycling (DublinCyclingCampaign)

Rollingnews

Thanks Paul Corcoran

UPDATE:

In fairness.

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36 thoughts on “Troy Cycle

    1. Robert

      short-tempered self-righteous self-centered lycra-clad (overweight) three-abreast swarming whingebag illegitimate sons of ladies of ill-repute weave off through traffic through red-lights upon cycle-paths and the wrong way up one-way streets before they can take account of whatever daw-brained thing it is they’ve done on the road just now, and flip off a bewildered granny while they’re at it

        1. Rep

          Some nice crass generalisations here. And why do people have such a hangup about lycra? Nobody moans about people running in running gear yet lycra seems to such a hangup to people. Its a good sign that the person complaining about it is an idiot.

          1. Robert

            I know you’re all wound up and looking for a gang-fight but I’ve a sense that he might have meant all road users. But don’t let cool-headed reason deter you from your ranting!

          2. Spaghetti Hoop

            Yep, the majority of ’em Rep! Let’s just say that those two groups, in Dublin, are the biggest culprits in breaking the lights, jumping lanes and failing to signal their intent.

      1. small ads

        But… but wait, Robert, if we build safe cycling infrastructure for them, separated from drivers like you, won’t you be happy?

        1. Rob_G

          For shame – the correct answer is, of course, that there is no such thing as “road tax” – better luck next time, player.

  1. Eoin

    Don’t remember Robert opening his yap which Shane Ross abandoned the promise to introduce laws for 1.5m minimum overtaking distance. Anyway, nice to see Robert back after his Christmas celebrations.

    1. Robert

      and a happy new year to you too!

      The only issue I have with Shane Ross is the media campaign against him. Rage on y’aul fusty codger!

  2. Dr.Fart MD

    the roads are too tight in the city. that’s why the 1.5m thing was abandoned because it would be impossible to enforce on such small roads. It’s also the reason why a lot of these other demands can’t be met. The physical make-up of the city is just not there.

    1. Robert

      B.b.b.b.but it’s not fAAAAAYOOUuuurrrrr – I’ve just spent all this money on my hobby and I want all public infrastructure to serve my leisure requirements. Gahhhhh where’s my swarm off keyboard monkeys “FLY MY PRETTIES!!!”

      1. Robert

        ban the elderly, disabled, young families … actually anyone that makes cycling inconvenient actually …and businesses while we’re at it. Actually why not just turn the city into a network of cycle tracks!

    2. Rob_G

      If roads are too narrow to overtake safely, then people shouldn’t be overtaking. Surely the logical thing would be to make provisions for all road users (both cyclists and motorists), so that everyone can get around safely?

    3. Ads

      The 1.5 metre passing distance was not for slow city driving but for driving over 50km/h and is enforced successfully in many countries. Why don’t people know this?
      People on bicycles make up a larger and larger proportion of road users (many including disabled people and young families) and need provision for safety.

    4. Michael Barry

      Are you for real? O’Connell St is one of THE widest streets in Europe, yet it doesn’t have bike lanes. Some parts of the Quays have 6 lanes of traffic, and no bike lanes. Many areas of the city centre have 4 lanes of traffic, and no cycle lanes. Amsterdam has far narrower streets, yet has bike lanes everywhere.

  3. James M.Chimney

    Yup, that’s how I roll. If you can’t get by them on the inside. Hang behind them. Mad the amount of people that don’t. It annoys me the amount of cyclists that regularly break red lights. There’s some yahoos that thing those corpo bikes have some sort of protective bubble and a cowcatcher on the front as they steam through lights.

    The cycle path along the canal is just bananas. I’ve gotten into the habit of staying late in work to avoid a myriad of people that should not be allowed out on the streets. Common sense is not their strong point to put it lightly.

    1. Dr.Fart MD

      biggest rule breakers goin. and its not just some, literally every bike out there is breaking rules daily. bikes are the only reason i look down the opposite way of a one way street when crossing the road, coz one of em could easily be bombin along the wrong direction. actually a few weeks ago i stepped onto the road, long lane, one way. didnt look behind me as there shouldnt be anything comin the wrong way but there was a man on a bike with his kid on the crossbar “get off the bloody road” he bellowed at me, knee jerk reaction for me was to shout fupp off. he looked back angrily, and pointing at his kid, like i shouldnt curse around him, but i think his kid needs to know that his dad’s an a-hole. get off the road.. pff. the entitlement of that.

      1. Gertrude

        +1 Dr. Fart, menaces so they are, I’ve yet to see one wait with the rest of the traffic at a red light. They’re never finished whinging and whining.

        1. Dr.Fart MD

          remember a year or two ago, they announced that bikes would have to obey the rules of the road too or they’d be subject to the law? and cyclists were up in arms about it. giving out about having to .. obey road law. then they didnt even uphold it, they’ve allowed them carry on maruading around as they please. imagine being so entitled that you’re openly angry about having to obey the law. unreal.

          1. Michael Barry

            Hmm. That is absolutely untrue. Cyclists have always had to obey the rules of the road. Nobody is “up in arms” about that.

            The only people up in arms about changing rules are motorists.

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