I have cycled in and around Cork City for the past fifty years - travelling to college, work, for recreation, etc. Now as a retiree I am cycling still and find it a way to bolster my health & well-being. I welcome and commend the recent committments to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists and appreciate the upgrades in the city's cycling infrastructure. In particular may I mention the cycle lanes on Ballyhooley Road, Capwell Road, Centre Park Road, and the development underway on the Marina / Blackrock old railway line
However, there is much left to do. I lived in Amsterdam 1992-1999 and so have experience of what a cycle-friendly city can (should!) be - i accept this is aiming high from a low starting base: but I urge you to be ambitious!!
In particular, I would urge you to aim for a CMATS target of 13% to 20%. I urge you to create cycle routes - particularly here on the Northside. For instance, creating a route using Wellinton Road - Ballyhooley Road - Old Youghal Road - Mayfield; extending the new cycle lane on Ballyhooley Road back to Dillons Cross and out towards White's Cross. I further urge you to work closely with your County colleagues to prioritise the Lee to Sea Greenway - this will be a major boon to receation cyclists like myself.
I would finally urge you to be creative - make urban living enjoyable as they've done in Amsterdam - facilitate Car Free days, community festivals, expand your excellent Christmas Tree lights to involve active participation by locals, etc.
Thank you.
Old Youghal Road from Dillons Cross to Mayfield is very busy and usage is going to increase. This road serves many citizens: motorists, schoolgoinf children, communters, shoppers, etc. At present the needs of motorists predominate. There is a need for balance. I urge you to consider traffic calming measures along this route.
As I live on the section between Gardiner's Hill and St Joseph's Church this is where I have most detailed knowledge. Many school children use this route as do all ages travelling by bus - often crossing the road at the traffic lights by the church gates. Currently motorists increase speed on the hill up from Dillons Cross and often trave fast along this stretch of road. Occassionally they fail to notice the traffic lights and have been know to fail to stop for the red light - this once happened to me as I made to cross at the lights - I had to jump back to avoid beinghurt as the car sped on.
I urge you to put traffic calming measures in place near the brow of the hill and at either side of the taffic lights e.g. in from of St Anthony's Stores (now closed) and beyond the bus top in front of the church. I suggest using traffic calming similar to that used in Amsterdam i.e. with a gentle gradient so motorists (and cyclists) can smoothly traverse it - like some of the ones which have recently been put in place on Middle Glanmire Road.
Thank you.