Cycling group's vision to 'make everywhere cycle-friendly'

'Adopting' a local councillor who would be sympathetic to the needs of cyclists is one of the local actions suggested in a Vision for Cycling in Rural Ireland launched last week, writes Brian Byrne.

The document has been prepared by cycling lobby group cycling.ie in association with the European Cyclists Federation. It seeks an environment where all rural communities in Ireland will be cycle friendly and that cycling will be seen as a normal way to get around.

The hope expressed is that shopping by bike will be as normal as it is in many Northern European countries, and that the bicycle will be the transport mode of choice for all ages. To make this happen, those who prepared the document have outlined eight priority areas focused on accelerating a transition to 'a cycle-friendly society'.

These include creating an environment where 'cyclists are expected and respected' in all areas, the creation and mapping of 'connected cycle routes' in every locality, 'best practice design' in devising safe and comfortable routes, prioritisation of 'safe cycle routes to schools'.

The lowering of speed limits to improve accessibility for cyclists and reduce casualties is also called for. Improving how local authorities can access funding in a 'clear and timely' way is another priority, as is 'collaboration with all stakeholders' at all stages of design. The final item is the provision of cycle training 'for all ages, especially children'.

The document goes into detail on each of these aspirations, including proper road signage, adequate safe bicycle parking, including cycle infrastructure in the design and improvement of all streets and roads, and car free zones at school gates. Speed limits should be reduced to 30km/h in all urban areas, and also near all schools, according to the document, and minor rural roads should be re-classified and signed as 'Rothar Roads' where road users are required to drive at a speed where they can react safely to coming on cyclists around a corner.

Vision for Cycling in Rural Ireland also has links to further information on training, advocacy, roads design, sustainable mobility, and references in the current Programme for Government. It can be downloaded here. 

(Images from document.)

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