It is great to see the significant improvements Cork City Council have made to the cycle network in the last 12 months. That said, many people living in the city do not have access to safe cycle routes and large parts of the city are not appealing to people who may wish to cycle. There is also still some disconnects in the existing cycle infrastructure where cycle paths are not fully connected. Major artery routes need to be of high quality and segregated by hard infrastructure (kerbing, etc). A clear roadmap needs to be provided for what routes will be delivered over the lifetime of the City Development Plan. The focus should be on promoting active travel rather than inforstructure for motor vechicles.
I believe that a significant increase in the following could reduce transport related emmissions within the City Development Plan. The provision of well-connected and segregated cycle routes would encourage more people to cycle. The provision of high-quality public bike parking across the city would also encourage people. At present the infrastructure is lacking. A reduction in vehicular speeds in most urban areas and limiting through-traffic on certain routes would also assist greatly. Patrick's Street should be pedestrian priority all day (not just the restricted hours currently available).
Based on work by the Cory Cycling Campagine I believe the target of 4% is inappropriate and should not be referenced in the City Development Plan. A more ambitous target for mode share of between 13% and 20% by 2028 is achievable, based on the current growth trajectory based on Cork Cycling Campagine figures.