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Dublin City Council is considering proposals to create 'contraflow
lanes' for cyclists, allowing them to travel in either
direction on streets restricted to one-way for motor vehicles.
The move has been prompted by members of the Dublin Cycle
Forum, who pointed out that current one-way streets - such
as Pearse Street and Nassau Street - can leave cyclists with
a detour of several kilometres.
However, some members of the council have urged caution on
the move, claiming it was another example of the growing influence
of cyclists - who, they said, represent only 3 per cent of
those who travel into Dublin city each day.
Under a proposal agreed by the council’s strategic transport
policy committee, the council will examine how to make getting
about the city easier for cyclists in key areas such as one-way
streets and wide streets - such as D’Olier Street and Westmoreland
Street.
Cllr Larry O’Toole (Sinn Féin) said there were very dangerous
areas of the capital’s roads for cyclists - including Parnell
Square, where a young man known to him had lost his life.
He also instanced Westmoreland Street, where he said the only
option for cyclists seeking to get from one side to the other
was to forge ahead and “the divil take the hindmost”.
Other examples quoted by transport committee member Derek
Peppard included difficulties accessing the Grafton Street
area from Nassau Street, which involved a one-way system.
A number of routes involved detours around Trinity College,
while short one-way stretches in areas such as Baggot Street
left cyclists with detours. He said the Dublin bike scheme
was working well, but numbers needed to be trebled.
Council staff have drawn up a list of 11 areas where they
have suggested solutions for cyclists. These include Leinster
Street South and Nassau Street, Baggot Street lower and Merrion
Row, Parnell Square, Moss Street, Camden Street by the Bleeding
Horse pub, the Westmoreland Street and D’Olier Street area
and St Stephen’s Green.
However, Fine Gael Cllr Edie Wynne said the move would have
to be given some thought. She said that, at 3 per cent of
commuters, cyclists were not very representative in Dublin.
“Ninety-seven per cent are choosing another way,” she said.
To view the proposed contraflow scheme - Click
Here
Source - The Irish Times
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