I really like that the county council is investing in cycle infrastructure in Firhouse but I believe that the plans made as they are might not be used by cyclists if they are made to join pedestrian crossings at certain junctions.
I am a cyclist and driver and I see lots of areas creating cycle paths that bring cyclists onto the pedestrian paths at junctions. From my own experience and from viewing other cyclists' behaviour, I believe these decisions make cycling sometimes more dangerous and almost always less convenient.
If we take the junction at Killinniny Road and Ballycullen Road as an example. Cyclists under the proposed plans will have to go onto the path and press and wait for 3 separate pedestrian lights (at the very least). I understand that it might seem small to some but when you consider that this is adding at least a few minutes for this one junction, then you have the same plans for the junction at the Old Mill (also 3 pedestrian lights unless you're turning left) and then again at the M50 bridge (4 pedestrian lights), this can easily add 10 minutes for a journey that is less than 10 minutes in cycling length.
So for a car doing the same journey, they would need to wait for 4 lights total (which are automated with sensors) vs 10 lights for cyclists (which require pressing a button every time). This will result in either cyclists using the roads regardless, cyclists breaking pedestrian lights (which I understand they shouldn't but I believe the design will cause this behaviour from many cyclists) or people avoiding cycling due to the delays at every junction.
I believe the 2 options that would work well is either
1. Implementing sensored pedestrian/cycle traffic lights which are synchronised so when they turn green the cyclist/pedestrian can continue through the full junction or
2. protected bicycle paths on the road which use the car traffic lights.
Both suggestions above I believe will result in many more cyclists using the new infrastructure and promote cycling as a convenient and usable form of transport in the area. I also think both options won’t affect vehicular traffic that much judging by their implementation elsewhere.
Suímh a bhaineann leis an submission seo agus le observations
Observations
I really like that the county council is investing in cycle infrastructure in Firhouse but I believe that the plans made as they are might not be used by cyclists if they are made to join pedestrian crossings at certain junctions.
I am a cyclist and driver and I see lots of areas creating cycle paths that bring cyclists onto the pedestrian paths at junctions. From my own experience and from viewing other cyclists' behaviour, I believe these decisions make cycling sometimes more dangerous and almost always less convenient.
If we take the junction at Killinniny Road and Ballycullen Road as an example. Cyclists under the proposed plans will have to go onto the path and press and wait for 3 separate pedestrian lights (at the very least). I understand that it might seem small to some but when you consider that this is adding at least a few minutes for this one junction, then you have the same plans for the junction at the Old Mill (also 3 pedestrian lights unless you're turning left) and then again at the M50 bridge (4 pedestrian lights), this can easily add 10 minutes for a journey that is less than 10 minutes in cycling length.
So for a car doing the same journey, they would need to wait for 4 lights total (which are automated with sensors) vs 10 lights for cyclists (which require pressing a button every time). This will result in either cyclists using the roads regardless, cyclists breaking pedestrian lights (which I understand they shouldn't but I believe the design will cause this behaviour from many cyclists) or people avoiding cycling due to the delays at every junction.
I believe the 2 options that would work well is either
1. Implementing sensored pedestrian/cycle traffic lights which are synchronised so when they turn green the cyclist/pedestrian can continue through the full junction or
2. protected bicycle paths on the road which use the car traffic lights.
Both suggestions above I believe will result in many more cyclists using the new infrastructure and promote cycling as a convenient and usable form of transport in the area. I also think both options won’t affect vehicular traffic that much judging by their implementation elsewhere.