Social Distancing and Cycling in Dublin South
I wrote today to Councillors for Rathfarnham Templeogue ahead of a meeting of South Dublin County Council regarding social distancing measures being considered for the county.
One of the few joys of lockdown has been seeing so many people (including families) out cycling and enjoying safer streets. I’ve been helping Dublin Cycling Campaign to put together a few easy wins to improve cycling infrastructure in South Dublin.
With some tweaking of how we allocate our public spaces we can make sustainable modes of transport a lasting legacy of this most difficult time. I hope South Dublin County Council will take this once in a lifetime opportunity…here’s my letter…
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Dear Councillors
I hope you are keeping safe and well.
I understand that South Dublin County Council will be meeting to discuss social distancing measures for the county on Monday 8 June. This is a very welcome development.
With the palpable increase in traffic again in recent weeks, it has once again become dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians to venture out onto the streets with large numbers of aggressive close passes and speeding motorists being reported. At the moment pedestrians and joggers, as well as cyclists, are required at times to be on the road for reasons of social distancing. Taking responsible physical distancing measures to protect their health on the one hand must not put their lives at risk on the other. In the short term, South Dublin County Council, the Road Safety Authority and Gardaí must ensure that drivers are reminded that roads are shared spaces.
Dublin Cycling Campaign has made a number of suggestions on how cyclists and pedestrians can be prioritized and protected as we move out of lockdown. Full details of these proposals are here: https://www.dublincycling.com/cycling/call-make-space-cyclists-south-dublin
As you will be aware, other local authorities in Dublin are making significant efforts to enhance road safety and encourage people to walk and cycle locally, as our lives become more local. For example, Blackrock village and Dundrum village are being made one-way to vehicular traffic in order to provide for safe access for cyclists and pedestrians. Other measures being implemented include the removal of on-street parking. Cycle lanes are increasingly being protected through the use of "orcas" and "wands" for example in Rathmines and Ranelagh.
Massive improvements can be made to cycling infrastructure in South Dublin to make it fit for purpose at minimal cost. On a local level in Rathfarnham, the proposed cycle scheme for Grange Road should be prioritised now that schools are closed. Existing proposals to make Wilbrook Road and Whitechurch Road one-way for cars should be implemented. Car parking spaces should be removed from Main Street Rathfarnham village (there are already 3 car parks on the perimeter of the village and a large one within the village at "Rathfarnham Daycare"). Cycle lanes should be provided on roads where they do not currently exist such as Marian Road. Speed limits of 30 km/hour must be implemented on all roads, other than national roads and motorways.
If we want to make our villages more livable and more sustainable we need to start now while people are open to changing their habits. Aside from the health and environmental benefits of walking rather than driving to the shops, it’s also in our economic interest to shop local and support local businesses now more than ever. As our lives become more local, many car journeys are not genuinely necessary. The vast majority of our urban populations live within walking distance of shops or can get to one easily by bus or bike - this should be encouraged. There will always be some who for various reasons may have no choice but to drive and these can easily be catered for through a relatively small number of designated parking spaces.
It is worrying that recent surveys have suggested that people who previously commuted to work by public transport are now considering taking their private car when the lockdown ends. There are long term social and environmental impacts at stake and we must act now to ensure that traffic as usual (or worse) is not allowed to return. While in no way a panacea, the newfound ability of so many of us to work from home will hopefully help to reduce the numbers of commuters on our roads on a daily basis. However, as Dublin City Council takes measures to reduce the capacity for private motor vehicles to enter the city, this will have knock-on consequences for traffic levels in Dublin South.
In the long term, we must decide who we want to prioritise on our limited streets and public spaces and how to do that. If we are all going to be able to live with social distancing, our footpaths will need to be widened and space reclaimed from vehicles for walkers, joggers and cyclists. We also need to ensure that families can walk, cycle and play together, while allowing for appropriate distance from others. As a society we need to look at what behaviours and patterns in our lives we can change with relative ease during these most challenging times. We have to ask ourselves how we can each contribute to the collective good. Our whole community’s health and well-being has to be our priority in whatever actions are taken.
Leadership from local government is so important at this time. I'd urge you to be open to new ways of looking at tired old problems. If we aren't going to change anything during a time of massive societal upheaval like this then we will never do it. All the bestCiarán Ahern General Election Candidate
Labour Party
Dublin South West
