More cycling infrastructure needed in Dublin Bay South to cater for growing number of road users – Geoghegan

More cycling infrastructure such as parking stands, cargo bike locking facilities and shared biking stations should be considered as part of the implementation of cycling projects in Dublin City, according to Fine Gael Councillor James Geoghegan.

Councillor Geoghegan, Fine Gael’s Dublin Bay South bye-election candidate, said there must be a coordinated approach between central government and Dublin City Council in providing an environment that protects, priorities and promotes cycling for commuters, leisure cyclists and tourists in Dublin City.

Councillor Geoghegan said: “Earlier this year, €49.87 million in grant funding was allocated to DCC by the National Transport Authority for the delivery of 75 cycling and walking projects and programmes over the next five years.

“This is welcome with walking and cycling becoming increasingly popular modes of travel during Covid-19, with funding directed at delivering active travel options to localities both inside and outside of Dublin City Centre.

“The funding includes plans for green schools’ infrastructure, COVID mobility and stimulus package measures and major infrastructure projects. I am pleased that development continues on three cycling projects in my constituency: the Dodder Greenway, from Herbert Park to Donnybrook; the Clonskeagh to City Centre Cycle Route; and the Grand Canal Cycle Scheme.

“Dublin City Council is currently working to facilitate the effective resourcing and implementation of the plan.

“However, as work continues on cycle routes and greenways, we must ensure we that we build new infrastructure and upgrade existing infrastructure to enable the continued increase in the numbers of people walking and cycling each day.

“This includes more bike parking stands, covered parking stands and cargo bike locking facilities in all our car parks and urban areas.

“I would also welcome a proposal that city centre car parks and commercial offices with car parks could be mandated to allocate space for bike parking.

“The Programme for Government contains a commitment that every local authority, with assistance from the National Transport Authority (NTA), be mandated to adopt a high-quality cycling policy.

“This should include an assessment of roads network and the development of cycle network plans to be implemented with the help of a qualified and dedicated Cycling Officer.

“On Shared bikes, NOW TV dublinbikes scheme was recently enhanced with the upgrade of 50% of the fleet of 1,600 to hybrid electric bikes. The switch to electric bikes makes it easier to cycle further and reach areas of city not covered, thereby strengthening the case for new parking stations beyond the canals.

“The DCC Chief Executive recently confirmed that the dublinbikes scheme is being moved into a new unit within the Council’s Environment and Transport department, which will be set up by the summer and will have responsibility for both this scheme and the station-less bike schemes such as Bleeper and Moby. I was glad to receive confirmation that this unit will examine how bike sharing can be expanded across the city using a combination of mobility hubs and other aids to ensure bike sharing is more widely available.

“We have made great progress but we must keep up the momentum to ensure more and better cycling infrastructure across Dublin Bay South to cater for the growing number of road users, concluded Councillor Geoghegan.

Development continues on three cycling projects in Dublin Bay South

• Dodder Greenway (Herbert Park to Donnybrook): High Quality Cycle Route along the Dodder from Docklands to Dublin City Council boundary at Orwell Park.
• Grand Canal Cycle Scheme (2-Way Cycle Scheme): Premium Cycle Route along the Grand Canal Cycle linking the existing infrastructure west of Blackhorse to Portobello in the East, providing a continuous route along the Grand Canal
• Clonskeagh to City Centre Cycle Route: High quality cycle route from Clonskeagh to City Centre to connect with UCD in DLRCoCo.