Connected Cycleways
The topography of Cork City, while somewhat hilly is not unmanageable for the vast majority when there is the provision of carefully planned routes and also the huge rise in e-bikes.
The biggest and only barrier to many more people cycling is not the issue of hills but safe roads and safe cycling infrastructure. This is the key to encouraging people that cycling is safe around the city for them and their families.
COVID-19 has greatly reduced the opportunity for the use of public transport for many and with so many households with the city boundaries without a car, it's a clear indication that alternative and safe cycling infrastructure is a must. However, to do facilitate this there needs to be a serious and strong commitment to not rely on box-ticking but connected and safe infrastructure. Cycleways and roads should be safe for children to enjoy and commute to school but also for older generations to do so in a safe manner.
Connected cycleways not only benefit cyclists but scooters, wheelchairs, skateboards, rollerblades and much more people by providing safe routes and no fear of impeeding motorists or pedestrians.
Segregation:
New cycleways should, by default be segregated by a kerb/orcas and bollards. This would allow children to ride in these cycle lanes but also prevent illegal parking from taking place and also reduces the likelihood of accidents between drivers and cyclists.
Northside:
A connected cycleway to the Northside is needed as the roads between the city centre and Blackpool are highly dangerous for cyclists in their current state and would open up cycling as a viable alternative to driving to and through the city.
Priority:
Having said all this. It is highly important that the shift to giving pedestrian and cyclist priority over motorised traffic is essential.
Advanced lights for cyclists, priority junctions whereby cyclists and pedestrians have a solid green and it is motor traffic that needs to wait for permission to proceed are models that work in many other cities around Europe and the world have followed the "dutch model"
Enforcement:
Enforcement in the city centre and beyond puts the lives of children, those with reduced mobility and able-bodied pedestrians and cyclists due to the significant lack of enforcement of both parking and driving laws.
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Red light cameras for capturing motor vehicles (and the far less number of cyclists) who run red lights around the city and automatic issuing of fixed charge notices.
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Blitz campaigns for enforcement of drivers on mobile devices.
Sting operations should be held regularly to catch motorists who operate their vehicles while using a mobile device.
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A zero-tolerance attitude to the anti-social behaviour of private and commercial vehicles parking in loading bays (over the time limit included) and on footpaths is needed in a large number of well-documented areas around the city such as South Main Street, Grand Parade Plaza, footpaths surrounding City Hall, Cornmarket Street etc. This should be a combined operation with An Garda Síochána and City Hall enforcement teams.
However, this should be lead by example from within the council as Council workers are significant contributors to illegal parking around the city.
Cork Hospital Cycleway
A connected cycleway network from CIT to CUH to UCC to the Mercy to South Infirmary and beyond is desperately needed to support the nurses, patients, attendants, visitors + members of the public, doctors and other staff, who garnered over 3000 signatures for a safe and segregated cycle network connection Cork hospitals and places of study.
This was presented to the council by hand in July and there has yet to be any notable action taken.
Tramore Valley Park
As a local, I'm still unable to access the nearest entry point to TVP without driving or walking 30mins to the only other pedestrian entrance.
Half Moon Lane should be prioritised as an urgent matter and allow access.
The planned bridge over the link and opening of Half Moon Lane + access to Mick Barry park is essential as it would allow students of local schools, locals and commuters a connected pathway from Douglas/Grange to the city with proposed pathway and cycleway upgrades.
Connected Pathways
Any new builds in the city should have mandatory through ways for pedestrians and gated communities should be forbidden.
Lee to Sea
Further to this, as someone who has spent the last 7-8 months enjoying the greenway to Passage West as a casual cyclist and then having to navigate the highly dangerous stretch between Passage and the N28 (recent accidents of a driver striking a cyclist highlight this) is a key area and significant area that at the moment is very anti-cyclist. "No-Cycling" stencils on the wide footpaths and the lack of traffic calming on the majority of footpath and road between the end of the Greenway and the N28 are all in need of a connection to the greater project of Lee to Sea but most importantly safety for pedestrians and cyclists alike. Being able to commute/walk/cycle along a connected path from Inniscarra and the sea would be a huge boost, not only as a massive opportunity for a tourism campaign, the likes of Wild Atlantic Way or Ireland's Ancient East, but also a both for health, businesses in the city and outside and also safety for 1000s of people of all ages who would benefit from the route.
Public Transport
The north side of the city needs to be connected to the commuter rail network again as has been promised for nearly a decade at this point. With the works on the Dunkettle junction, this should also have been facilitated in the plans.
This coupled with far more Park and Rides along the fringes of the city as in the plans are needed urgently to reduce the number of vehicles needlessly entering the city. If we can cut numbers to make a healthier and safer city then those who do then want or need to drive into/through the city are able to do so in a much freer manner.
The highly welcomed plans for a light rail system need to happen alongside the connection of other areas to the city but also with cycleways and footways to ensure mobility around the city is cheap, reliable and easy. It would be great to see this funding secured BEFORE the city expands as greater connectivity would mean more people attracted to the city and businesses thriving.
Harbour Transport
As part of reducing the need for cars into the city, there should be provisions for a dedicated "Cork Clipper" service similar to the Thames Clipper in London. A harbour ferry system that connects keeps access points from the city to outlying areas and towns such as Little Island, Cobh etc.
This would allow access to far more people and reduce the reliance on our roads which are over capacity.
Digital Age
As we're in the age of the most connectivity we have ever had it would be great to see the city and council catch up with this.
Engagement on social media is next to non-existant and creates a disconnect between people and the council. Engaging with both positive and negative aspects should be an essential part of gaining feedback, gaining insight into local problems, seeing problem points such as illegal parking, engaging with local sports teams and much more.
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Reporting Portal
Part of this would be an online portal between the Gardaí and council to report illegal parking, dangerous road behaviours and non-emergancy anti-social behaviour. A central portal would make it easier to report and follow up on a number of matters.
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Councillor Hub
An online hub outlining councillors voting record, comments etc should be available in a central hub that is connected to documents, contact details, key areas of interest etc. The council online infrastructure (outside this wonderful consultation portal) is 10 years out of date.
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Councillor Tools
The tools to do the job correctly for councillors need to catch up such as email tools. For example, inboxes that are constantly full are not a great look for the council.