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Councillor demands a bike friendly city

Tuesday, 30 June 2009

FEAR of accidents is preventing Dublin from becoming a cycle friendly city.  That’s according to Cllr Claire O’Regan (Lab), who was recently elected to Dublin City Council for the first time in the North Inner City ward. Cllr O’Regan, a keen cyclist, made her comment during National Bike Week and is calling on the local authority to greatly improve cycling lanes across the city. “Cycling can be the fastest, cheapest way of travelling through Dublin, as well as having significant environmental and health benefits,” she told Northside People.  “However, there is still a great deal of risk associated with cycling around Dublin and much of our 130 miles of cycle lanes is shared with other traffic and pedestrians, meaning many of our cycling routes are dangerous.” Cllr O’Regan said she has been campaigning on this issue for many months and has vowed to continue working for a solution to the problem. She believes the impact of National Bike Week is greatly diminished unless action is taken to make roads safe.  “National Bike Week is a great initiative, and I support it wholeheartedly,” she added.   “I also welcome the introduction of the new bicycle rental scheme and the removal of HGVs from the city centre.  “These are great steps towards making Dublin a truly cycle friendly city. However, we have a long way to go.  “I am calling on Dublin City Council to begin consultations with the Dublin Transport Authority, councillors and most importantly cyclists themselves, to make Dublin a true ‘Cyclists’ Capital’.”