Galway Cycling Campaign -Feachtas Rothaiochta na Gaillimhe

One Way Streets and Banned Turns

An Information Sheet

What's the issue?

One-way streets are often used as part of traffic management schemes that focus only on managing the flow of motorised vehicles.  Alternatively they may be used to ease flow on narrow streets or obtain additional space for car parking.   There are usually no traffic management or safety justifications for imposing one-way street restrictions on cycle traffic.   Doing so often causes problems for cyclists in the form of unnecessary detours and additional trip length.  Many cyclists will therefore ignore no-entry restrictions.  Extensive one-way systems can also be difficult for cyclists to use, requiring frequent lane changes and weaving manoeuvres, these problems are compounded by current Irish speed management practice.  Those European cities that have successfully encouraged cycling have been notable for tackling the issue of one-way streets.  Some towns such as Ferrara (Italy) and Groningen (Holland) have actually opened up all one-way streets to cyclists.  

Solutions

A hierarchy of measures is used to facilitate cyclists.  In many European countries cyclists are simply provided with an exemption from no entry restrictions.  Alternatively a "false one-way street" may be created in which a small island or bollard blocks entry to motorists while allowing cyclists to pass.  As traffic speeds/volumes increase additional road markings are used such as warning markings advising of oncoming cycle traffic.  Some form of traffic lane might be used, including contra-flow cycle lanes (if parking restrictions can be enforced).  Current EU advice is that the introduction of new one-way streets should be reduced to the strictly necessary.  The EU recommends reopening one-way streets on minor roads to two-way cycle traffic and providing contra flow lanes for cyclists on secondary major one-way streets [1] .  

The Irish Situation

The current regulations (SI 273/98, 274/98) do provide for a plate providing an exemption for cyclists passing no entry signs.  However the regulations do not provide that cyclists may cross no entry markings unless it is to enter a cycle track.  This means that Irish traffic engineers may have to exercise some imagination in finding solutions for one-way streets.  We understand that the safety record of contra-flow schemes is generally good [2] .   The issue of cycle track/cycle lane users being at increased risk from same direction traffic does not arise with contra-flow schemes.  

Banned Turns

What's the issue?

A similar issue to one-way streets, some traffic management schemes impose restrictions on right or left turns at some junctions.  There is rarely if ever any traffic management justification for applying these restrictions to cyclists.   Nevertheless cyclists frequently find themselves included in such bans and forced to make long detours.  Indeed in some cases cyclists find that trying to comply with the law also puts them in extreme danger. 

Examples in Galway

On the Headford road all traffic leaving the city's main cinema complex, main toyshop and largest computer/ electronics outlets is subject to a ban on right turns.  Regardless of the desired direction of travel, all cyclists of all ages are directed without warning onto the Headford road roundabout, which has 5 entries and three circulation lanes.   A similar turning ban is applied at the junction of the Ballybane and Monivea roads where all cycle traffic is directed onto the Ballybrit roundabout.

Solutions to banned turns

Several solutions are available such as "cyclist only" turning reservoirs or bypasses (see above on one-way streets).  In Ireland, the traffic regulations provide for a separate plate that creates an exemption for cyclists.  At some locations cyclists can be facilitated by using signalised "toucan crossings" (combined pedestrian/cyclist crossings)

Defensive action for cyclists.

There isn't any other than dismounting and going on foot, we cannot condone cyclists breaking the law.  However, it should be noted that if cyclists are ignoring existing restrictions then this does not indicate some form of "wilful unlawfulness" on the part of cyclists.  In fact it merely demonstrates that the engineers/planners involved originally chose to disregard their own function under the Roads Acts.  Section 13.5 of the Roads Act (14 of 1993) clearly states "in the performance of its functions.... a roads authority shall consider the needs of all road users".  However two wrongs don’t make a right and disregarding existing restrictions, no matter how illogical, can damage cyclists' credibility generally.

So what can I do?

Solutions to one-way streets and turning bans are available and you must insist that they be implemented especially at locations where cyclists are ignoring existing bans.  At these locations motorists are probably already operating on the informal assumption that they are likely to meet oncoming cyclists.  Challenge your local councillor to justify the grounds on which existing restrictions are being applied.  Insist that your councillor give a proper explanation for any new one-way street or turning ban proposals.  Lobby your local T.D. for changes to bring Irish traffic law into line with best international practice.  Make a point of educating other road users about the issue, this will help get people on our side and reduce the potential for conflict.  This is critical in Galway where we get so many foreign visitors and students.  These visitors to our city cannot be expected to understand the idiosyncrasies of Irish traffic law.  Ireland may be unique among northern European countries in trying to apply these restrictions equally to cyclists.   

© Galway Cycling Campaign, February 2001

The Galway Cycling Campaign can be contacted c/o the One World Centre, The Halls, Quay St, Galway