Galway Cycling Campaign

Selected Activities to July 2001

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of campaign activities and is merely intended to give a flavour of the issues faced by Galways bicycle users.  For examples of our most recent activities please go to our news section.

Issue: Issue of bike parking is raised in "city manager's report" on a proposed redevelopment of Westside shopping centre.

Action: GCC makes submission to city manager on best practice in short term bike parking. Examples of suitable designs from UK/US are provided along with advice as to suitable locations. Copies circulated to project architects and planning office of Galway corporation.

Problem: Irish Medical Organisation due to debate motion calling for legislation for mandatory protective headgear for cyclists. IMO also to consider motion for ban on bull bars on 4x4 vehicles and 20mph zones in build up areas.

Action: GCC sends open letter to IMO calling for withdrawal/rejection of helmets motion. Assistance sought from local and international cyclists, submissions of support and additional material received from cyclists in Canada, US, UK and Australia. European Cyclists federation has taken strong line against helmet legislation and is also contacted, as are many ECF member groups.

Additional Action: GCC sends IMO material in support of lower speed limit proposals. Nationally an e mail campaign is initiated calling for endorsement of bull bar ban, lower speed limits and rejection of helmet laws.

Response: No response from IMO, IMO declines to put up a spokesman to discuss the issue on national radio. IMO delegates reject counter-motion calling for a committee to look into the matter and adopt helmet motion, our understanding is that the various submissions made by internationally recognised experts, the national, and international cycling community were not brought to the attention of the delegates.

Action: GCC makes submission to Minister for Finance for tax incentives to be provided to employers for installation of suitable bike parking with showers and lockers.

Response: Minister's office responds that capital expended on such devices would be entitled to standard rebates.

Action: GCC makes successful grant application to environmental partnership fund. GCC receives £3,600 for purchase of research materials and production of leaflets for cyclists, motorists, employers and general promotional leaflet. Grant includes funds for production of presentation on cycling accidents.

Progress: Three leaflets produced, one in draft form awaiting final illustrations. Presentation on cycling accidents is modified to include review of Irish cycle facilities design manual, which is in draft form.

Problem: Study costs £700,000 + Recommendations run to 200 pages and are disputed on range of headings. Four paragraphs devoted to walking and cycling in entire document, main cycle route across city includes nine (x9) roundabouts. Problems start there and get worse. Makes disputed reference to statistics showing danger of allowing cyclists in vehicle restricted areas.  Findings on commuter train services are disputed, study ignores the existence of substantial private commuter bus services serving city. Combining cycling and public transport is not considered. Recommendations on "Park and Ride" are disputed. Traffic models are disputed, GCC contends that traffic models cannot work even within own terms of reference. Recommendations on junction improvements ignore impact on cyclists and pedestrians.

Action: Original submission on City development plan was given to consultants in 1998. Submission made to Galway corporation following publication of final recommendations.

Response: No response from Galway Corporation (GC), final document ignores concerns raised in original submission. Galway Cycling Campaign lodges complaint with EU commission as primary funding agency.

Problem: Corporation wishes to change entire city centre traffic system including closing Eastern side of Eyre Square and replacing Zebra crossings with signalised crossings. New one-way gyratory (roundabout) system to be instituted to East.

Action: Submissions, complaint to EU as funding agency, co-ordination with GEA Eyre Square sub committee.

Problem: Absence of secure bike parking in university

Action: On behalf of NUIG students union, detailed submission on bike parking, includes detailed recommendations on designs and locations.

Response: As of 2001 still no secure bike parking in University.

Problem: Absence of bike parking in city

Action: In conjunction with NUIG ecology society, detailed submission to Galway corporation on bike parking, includes detailed recommendations on designs and locations. Corporation is provided with quotation from Irish manufacturer (and supplier to Dublin corporation) who is prepared to make racks in range of standards and finishes using designs provided.

Response: No response from Galway Corporation, Corporation purchases alternative design which does not support parked bicycles and which prove to be a trip hazard to pedestrians. Corporation had previously "provided" parking at Galway advertiser, this believed to be for the purpose of preventing cyclists from using railings around St Nicholas' Church.

Action: GCC produces position papers on Area Wide Traffic Calming, 20 mph limits in Urban areas. These are circulated to all candidates who are canvassed for responses, which are then published in press.

Further Action: In late 2000 position papers recirculated to city councillors in response to disputed report on traffic calming by city engineer. Non "experimental" speed ramps appear in Tirellan.

Problem: Closure of main cycle route across city. Design guidelines for shared pedestrian cyclist use available since at least 1983. Design is also incompatible with EU policy on promoting cycling.

Action: Submissions to interested parties: only receive response from Gardai, Submissions to Department of the Environment: response fails to address concerns, complaint to EU as funding agency.

Problem: Cyclist/Pedestrian hostile road design based on roundabouts and slip roads. Use of cyclist hostile cycle-path designs.

Action: Submissions, two complaints to an Bord Pleanala (one successful).

Problem: Cyclist/Pedestrian hostile road design based on roundabouts. Design is also incompatible with Galway corporations stated aim of introducing Bus priority system on this route.

Action: Submissions via planning mechanism, complaint to an Bord Pleanala, complaint to EU as funding agency.

Action: Cyclists in UK provide additional info on compulsory seatbelt wearing legislation, GCC carries out further research and passes results to Irish government.

Response: Minister replies that matter is being investigated.

Action: Both GCC and Dublin Cycling Campaign ask to be represented. Request is refused, no cyclists represented at road "safety" conference.

Action: Submission to Govt on various issues: Compulsory seatbelt wearing legislation, on the spot fines, penalty points system, ABS brakes, Speeding/speed limits, black spot treatments, driver testing, regulations on cycle tracks.

GCC grouped with, National Council for the Blind, Irish wheelchair association, Galway access group. Cyclist's concerns are to be represented by a blind telephonist. Committee never meets.

Action: Submission comprises appx. 30 pages, issues raised. Cycle paths, roundabouts, other hostile junction design practices, bike parking, speeding, road narrowings, etc etc.

Reponse: No response to date from Galway corporation (other than to say that they are not required to provide responses).  Development plan adopted by council without any indication that any of our concerns had been addressed.

Various submissions made to Health board, Gardai, Corporation etc.