Status: EXPLORING
Current Status: Active
Project Stage(s): Concept
Live Trial Location(s): Pending > Onsite > Removed
(What are the Project Stages?)
(Why are trials removed?)
CHALLENGE:
Many/most cycle lanes in the city (including -andatory ones) are only 07.00-19.00, Monday-Saturday. Many also have further hours during the day during which they cease to operate - eg between 10.00-12.00 as per the main photo.
This means that they stop being cycle lanes when...
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it's darker and therefore less safe to cycle,
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there's less traffic, and so traffic speeds will naturally be faster (emptier roads),
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less experienced cyclists will be out and about - eg people out cycling for leisure or families cycling together during evenings or on Sundays.
It also means that people driving become used to often driving into or parking on cycle lanes. This complicates and blurs the understanding of when it's OK to do so, and also lowers the perception of how we view cycling and safety of people cycling in the city in general.
It's unclear why there's suddenly a need for more parking 19.00-07.00 Monday-Saturday and on Sundays which is precisely when we've otherwise identified as being 'off-peak' for traffic volumes. So is there simply displacement of parking from paid spaces to free spaces during these periods?
Are the 10.00-12.00 hours to facilitate loading and unloading to local businesses? Have local businesses arranged for their deliveries to specificlly take advantage of those hours, or are they also loading/unloading outside of those hours when the cycle lane is active?
Having a rule which changes according to times and days also complicates parking restrictions, requiring additional understanding on the part of the driver parking. For example cars parking overnight are clamped the next morning as the space becomes a cycle lane again. If the presumption is that people may need to park outside their home in the evening, it's unclear why there's an assumption that they also wouldn't need to park there between 07.00-19.00.
PROPOSITION:
[Should cycle lane hours reflect the 'anytime' nature of cycling? Trial not yet designed.]
DESCRIPTION:
[Trial not yet designed.]
OUTCOMES:
[Trial not yet complete.]
DECISION:
[Trial not yet complete.]
NEXT STEPS:
[Trial not yet complete.]
RELATED PROJECTS:
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Get involved in the conversation below.
John MacMahon, posted on 2018.09.17
Hey - this is a brilliant idea and everything you have said above in the project description is totally on-the-button. We are trying to lead as sustainable a life as possible, to the point where we bought a cargo bike to get about in the city. We live in Milltown and find it very head into town via Ranelagh when the cycle lanes are “out of action”, be it in a cargo bike or normal bike. It’s really tight, especially around the little Tesco Express. Happy to give as much feedback as needed
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Emmet Ryan, posted on 2019.03.26
I support the proposition making bus and cycle lanes 24/7.
One might question why the time limits are there in the first place. They don’t make much sense. Were they originally introduced to soften the loss of the driving lane?
I think introducing this would encourage people to cycle or take the bus instead of driving. This would ease traffic congestion in Dublin.
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Ciaran Duffy, posted on 2019.03.27
I would be totally behind 24/7 cycle lanes (and bus lanes but that’s a different story). As pointed out in the article, forcing cyclists into the lanes of other traffic during inlit and higher speed hours increases the risk of an incident. Having localized rules also increases confusion about when the lanes are in operation in each location.
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Stephanie Power, posted on 2019.03.27
I think this is a great idea but will come to nothing if not continually enforced. Often, even when bike lanes are “in action” people park there with no consequence. I hope we do get 24/7 bike lanes as I cycle most places but making this work is going to take the coordination of several groups.
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Sheila, posted on 2019.03.27
My son cycles everywhere and J worry perpetually that he will wind up paralysed or with a brain injury and have his life destroyed BC a lack of safe cycle infrastructure in the city. He loves cycling, it’s great for him, but I really wish the city was better equipped for cyclists
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Oisin O'Connor, posted on 2019.03.27
Same issue as John posted above. We’re a family of 3 living in Clonskeagh and our main way of getting around is by bike. We’re more likely to head to Dundrum or Blackrock than City Centre because of the Ranelagh situation with temporary cycle lanes. Rathmines the same. Enforcement and layout is also an issue though. Changing/removing times from signs would have little/no practical effect.
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Elodie Leveque, posted on 2019.03.27
The simpler the rules, the safest in my opinion.
Cyclists are more vulnerable than cars, and in the meantime, everyone should be encouraged to cycle rather than drive (health, pollution, etc.).
I personally stopped cycling after I was hurt by a car (on a cycling lane!), and won’t try to cycle again until it is safer
Thanks for this project and question ! It is great to see things are constantly improved!
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James Maher, posted on 2019.03.27
A timed cycle lane is not a cycle lane. People who use bikes or buses are not criminals so should not be subject to curfews. If you want people to use cycle lanes they should not have to be looking at their watches to see if they are within designated, permitted to cycle times. Instead they should be able to devote their vision to watch out for parked cars in the lane, potholes and distracted drivers whos cars are not repelled by magic paint. In short I feel timed cycle lanes are a public display of a city with impudent planners and serve to confuse a driving public that already doesn’t care. Those signs with the times are expensive and need maintenance so removing them will save money, distraction and confusion.
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Ohad Lutzky, posted on 2019.03.27
I think this is a great idea, and would greatly improve safety. I commute by bicycle daily, and cycle lanes which are ignored/parked in are the most common hazard.
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D Casey , posted on 2019.03.27
Have never understood how a cycle lane has time limited hours of use. Utterly bizarre. 100% behind this project. One of many steps that is required in Dublin to change the second class status of cycling / walking as a means of commuting. Dublin is a small city & can be traversed quickly by bike. Bike commuting needs absolute priority for those who can in Dublin, this will help.
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Mark Winkelmann, posted on 2019.03.27
I support this idea
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Tony Reilly, posted on 2019.03.27
This is a great idea. Lets do this!
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Oisín Gilmore, posted on 2019.03.27
Definitely. Cycle lanes should be 24 hours a day.
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John Caulfield, posted on 2019.03.28
Cycle lanes should definitely be 24 hours. I am all for this project.
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D Killeen, posted on 2019.03.28
So we will miss our 2020 and 2030 emissions targets.
I want to get out of my car and onto my bike. I want to get fit & reduce traffic. I want to keep out of the health system and play a major part in reducing traffic congestion. I will do all of this, will you make it reasonably safe for me? Please give us dedicated 24/7 bike lanes.
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Greg M, posted on 2019.03.28
They should not be time limited. It is bizarre that cycle lanes are basically closed and parked in during the most dangerous times to cycle. Someone parked in a cycle lane is extremely dangerous, forcing people out into the middle of the road, when dark, and with faster moving traffic. GEtitng rid of time limits should be a no brainer.
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David Tuite, posted on 2019.03.28
Full support
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Sean Meehan, posted on 2019.03.28
Late night/Sunday parking in cycle lanes is a common hazard. The fear of opening car doors forces a people who are cycling further out into traffic. Cycle line should only be for people who cycle, if parking is needed this should be addressed separately. Safety of our active road users should be our top priority
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Shane Murphy, posted on 2019.03.28
I support this motion. Lots of points above are right that there are other steps that will ultimately need to be taken to protect the integity of cycle lanes, but this is a start. Enforcement will be important. There is no earthly reason why a cycle lane should only be a cycle lane for certain hours of the day.
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gavin o loughlin, posted on 2019.03.28
fully agree with this project. When cycle lanes have limited use hours it results in motorists parking in them at any time as there is confusion about when they are allowed to use them. Should be a cycle lane or not.
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Ciaran, posted on 2021.10.13
What is happening, has there been any progress? Surly this is “low hanging fruit” just make all bus lanes 24hour, and then look a derogations on certain roads or alternative parking provision.
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