Cork Cycling Campaign

Cementing Relationships

2012-01-29T06:52:00.000-08:00

I've recently become aware of a different type of impediment to cyclists namely cement deposits. Actually concrete that has spilled onto the side of a road probably from a cement lorry and nobody bothers to clean it up and it goes hard (like ...eh... concrete!) and cyclists have to almost stop or move out into traffic to avoid it.

The first example is near the top of Silversprings hill on Cork's northside (Northern Ring Road) at the junction with Colmcille Avenue. I guess it's been there for about 3 or 4 years. Granted it's quite a hill climb for cyclists so not that many would use it from day to day but i see other cyclists coming up here regularly. And after a hard climb the last thing you need is a 'rocky' obstacle that would challenge any mountain biker!

And a close up of the obstacle field.

The second example is up around the corner on the Middle Glanmire Road on the way to Montenotte. If you look carefully the Lorry Driver was kind enough to leave a tiny space between the concrete deposit and the wall for cyclists to get through on the smooth tarmac! Otherwise you can go outside into the stream of traffic or brave it over the obstacle - which you really don't want to do.

Fourth image is close up of Glanmire Road.

Facebook Tidal Wave Hits Blog Shores

2011-11-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

It's not easy updating a blog, website and facebook page all at the same time! So the website has been suffering and the blog has been very intermittent!
From now on I will be devoting more time to the facebook page so keep an eye out for that. I will try to put breaking news there and save the blog for longer articles.

Conundrum on Coal Quay

2011-08-11T10:06:00.001-07:00

Despite having written to Cork City Council about the injustice of making the Coal Quay a one-way going north, lo and behold it has come to pass...

Now all traffic heading south from Shandon has to make detours to get up towards Patrick Street.

But why should cyclists have to make such long detours? Surely there could have been a small lane created so cyclists could access Daunt's Square and Paul Street etc.

Another few years and they will be ripping up stone paving and kerbs to create ramp access for cyclists!

adam

Cork's One Ways

2011-01-05T12:16:00.000-08:00

Here's a map of Cork city centre showing the one ways. (ignore the coloured dots - they represent existing and proposed bike parking.)

This might make sense (!) from a traffic management point of view but for a cyclist it is very inconvenient. A bicycle takes up very little space on the road so there is little reason to stop cyclists from using the most direct route.

And in fact this is what most cyclists do. This should be legalised by allowing cyclists to go against one ways. Of course it has to be well signposted for all road users and maybe it wouldn't work for some one ways but if we can put a man on the moon surely we can manage this!

adam

Bikes Allowed on Local Trains!

2011-01-05T09:55:00.000-08:00

Yes it's true folks.

After only about 15 years of lobbying, Ireland's national railway Iarnrod Eireann, has finally decided to allow bikes to be carried on local trains.

So from now in Cork the local Cobh and Midelton trains should allow bikes in off peak times.

(10.00 - 15.30 and after 19.00) Keep an eye out for changes.

Of course some trains are practically empty at peak time especially if they are heading out of the city so maybe the rules will be adjusted.

I for one am looking forward to heading off on the weekends on the train with my bike!

adam

Cyclize your City: National Bike Week 2010

2010-06-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

Bicycle Parking in Cork

2009-12-09T06:45:00.000-08:00

The government want to put supports in place to encourage more people to cycle. That is good news. But its bicycle purchase scheme, and even good cycle paths are not enough on their own to win hearts and minds. In my opinion three things in particular need attention to make cycling more popular:

1. There is a need for a lot more bicycle parking;

2. A lot more employers need to provide shower and changing facilities for their staff;

3. All drivers, especially bus and lorry drivers, need to get on their bikes once in a while to see how much they put us at risk when they do not show us adequate care on the road.

Bikes on Trains

2009-09-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

Thinking about bringing your bike on the train to Fota Wildlife Park or to Cobh?

Imagine all the fun you could have cycling around in the lovely landscape of Little Island or sunny, historic Cobh - the Monte Carlo of Ireland?!

Well forget it.

The train does NOT take bikes. I'm afraid that the concept of carrying bikes on local trains is beyond the imagination of Iarnrod Eireann (Irish Rail).

Mighty Munster Bike Park

2008-10-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

Musgrave Park in Cork could really do with a few Bike stands. At the moment there is roughly parking space for about 4 Bikes! (which works out ok for me because I think I'm the only person who cycles to matches! Most either walk or park some distance away and walk.)

2 of these spaces are at the traffic pole down the road a bit and possibly 2 at the cable supporting the telephone pole just to the right of the entrance.

OK there's a few more poles but they're no good if you have a U-lock.

What about all the railings to the left of the entrance? I hear you say. Well these are usually cordoned off for priority parking on match days. Maybe if there were more stands provided, fans would actually cycle to the matches! How radical is that!

Come to think of it, how much bike parking is available at Thomond Park? I'm sure a lot of people would appreciate a lot less traffic clogging up the streets on big match days!

Cork Cycling Arts Festival!

2008-07-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

Check it out!

http://www.cork-cycling-arts-festival.org/

When Good Cycle Paths Turn Bad!

2008-04-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

Here's an example of a bad cycle path. It looks like they've been waiting for the 'Pole Removal Division' for about a year now.

Note other pole in background.

And bad examples of entry points. A step up from the road.

And what are you supposed to do at this junction if you want to go straight on?

Lots more signs, poles and lamps.

Ok, so maybe they're just reflecting the fact that a lot of kids and adults (illegally) cycle on the footpaths. But seeing as there's a legal obligation on cyclists to use the cycle path/ lane if provided, any cyclists who doesn't use this is breaking the law.

enjoy it!

adam

(thanks to Bruce)

Dangers and Annoyances

2007-02-06T10:41:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos of some obstacles in Cork City

First off this is on Merchants Quay heading west approaching the Opera House. Some nice deep recessed drain outlets. This area was resurfaced but I think they left the covers at the old level! (and there isn't always so much space.)

Next up this is at the end of Washington Street heading west just before the new bridge linking to Sharman Crawford Street. They obviously didn't get around to filling the gap around the cover.

At least the cycle lane (?) tends to go outside it!

Here's a close-up of the same manhole cover.

This is Paul Street with the stone drains. They look great but are lethal when they're wet! Especially if you are cycling parallel to them and your front wheel happens to go into them. It will very easily slip sideways and you fall over.

I try to approach these at right angles like tram tracks.

And my own Favourite!

This is on Sraid An tAthar Maitiu heading south from the South Mall towards Father Mathew Quay. (coming upto side of RTE building)

It's a real beauty! Quite an old drain cover with a high frame.
(the U-lock is to show the scale!)

If you know of any more then you can put it up on the blog. Contact me and I'll show you how it works. Happy Cycling!

adam

p.s. comments posted can take a while to appear.

No Cycling

2006-10-26T12:33:00.000-07:00

There seems to be a proliferation of "No Cycling" types of signs in Cork at the moment. Here's a few examples.

This is the new UCC walkway from the North Mall to the Mardyke. And a great walk it is! With beautiful trees along the river and a very nice modern bridge. It's great for walking and cycling and it's very popular.

But then they put up these signs! I don't know if you can read it but it says "Cyclists Dismount on Bridge" ( and in Irish: Rothaithe isligh anuais den rothar ar an droichead).

I'm not sure what the problem is. Maybe they're afraid of cyclists somersaulting into the river!?

This is the sign from the other side of the bridge.

If that wasn't bad enough, there's another smaller bridge with the same signs.

The sign says "Cyclists Dismount on Bridge". This bridge is about 3 metres long!

The walkway is used by lots of cyclists and I haven't seen anyone stop and dismount and walk the few paces it takes to cross and remount!

adam

Getting 'Doored'

2005-10-06T11:31:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but I don't like getting 'doored'!
In other words cycling along in traffic and suddenly a car door opens in front of you and you smack into it. Not a very pleasant experience for the cyclist or for the car passenger / driver. And it can damage your bike and possibly the car door. If you take rapid avoiding action you can run into other problems like hitting someone else or some other vehicle or wall. Mind you if you have time to do that you probably have time enough to jam on the brakes and avoid the collision.

What can be done about it? Obviously you can travel far enough out from parked cars so that you have clearance. But when you have traffic on the other side you have to be careful of that too. The worst case is when you're travelling between parked cars and stationary traffic. Usually the space is quite tight. This is the time to be extremely careful. At least if traffic is moving passengers are less likely to jump out. It's when traffic is at a standstill that the risk is high. There's a huge temptation for a passenger to say "Sure, I'll just jump out here and walk. It'll be faster!" So in these situations I try to imagine that every single car is just about to open it's door! Not easy when you're just enjoying the breeze on your face travelling through backed up traffic on a fine sunny day!

Anyone have any 'dooring' experiences?

adam