Cyclists in Dublin say their safety is at risk with the new Luas line.
The Luas Cross City is set to open this weekend, but the Dublin Cycling Campaign has warned that the new lanes are dangerous in their current form.
They aren’t happy with the solution to the problem either, after temporary signs were put up telling cyclists to dismount their bikes, rather than divert.
With more signs reported to appear on Dawson Street, this move has been called an admission of failure on the engineers’ part.
https://twitter.com/McLeuven/status/938331383600242690
Dublin Cycling Campaign recently spoke at the An Bord Pleanála oral hearing into the Cross City Line, where they requested if cycling routes could be maintained on Harcourt Street, Dawson Street and College Green, and if a new route could be created from Stephen’s Green West to Merrion Row.
However, they feel their interests are still being ignored.
Just some of the cycling issues raised by @dublincycling at the An Bord Pleanala oral hearing into @LuasCrossCity @Luas. ABP Case Ref: PL29C.NA0004 Do cyclists count? @Shane_RossTD @TIIUpdates pic.twitter.com/dD5mFoYbnn
— Irish Cycling Campaign (@cyclistie) December 6, 2017
It is reported that Colm Ryder of Dublin Cycling has called his dealings with the operator Transdev, Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority “frustrating”, considering the line has been in development since 2011.
The NTA had previously talked about using rubber in the lines’ grooves during a report called ‘Co-Existence of Cyclists and Trams’ during early 2012. This rubber would only be depressed under the pressure of the Luas wheels, but the proposal was rejected due to the estimated cost of €800,000 per kilometre and the need for regular replacements.
Dublin City Council also rejected a proposal by the NTA to ban cyclists from using areas shared by the Luas, buses and taxis on Dawson Street, Lower Grafton Street, O’Connell Street and Nassau Street in order to guarantee their safety.
Instead, ‘Cyclists Dismount’ sings have been erected, which have received as much criticism as they don’t explain what the cyclist should do next in one of the city’s busiest areas.
Thanks for the update, now could you please tell us what you expect people to do after they dismount their bikes? *Instructions unclear* Walk bike on road? On tram tracks? On (busiest in town) footpath?
Please send Part 2 of instructions ASAP! https://t.co/FlmQ6W9sz1— Dublin Cycling Campaign (@dublincycling) December 5, 2017
An Garda Siochána have issued their own safety message ahead of December 9th, asking viewers to spot the number of offences committed by drivers, pedestrians and cyclists between Broombridge and Stephen’s Green. In an accompanying message, they have instructed cyclists to “Cycle across tracks at an angles and cycle between tracks to avoid getting stuck.”
How many offences can you spot on one return journey from Broombridge to Stephen's Green?
For more info see: https://t.co/cG5p5aB6ii pic.twitter.com/b0DdOTAEMh
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) December 5, 2017
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