SOUTH EAST AREA councillors on Dublin City Council are set to debate a motion on creating a ‘parking protected’ cycle lane network in Dublin.
The proposed design, labelled the Georgian Parkway, would see parked cars create a buffer between the cycle lane and traffic. Parking protected cycle lanes have proved successful in a number of other countries.
Fine Gael Councillor Dr Paddy Smyth has put forward the motion for discussion next month. It is supported by all eight councillors in the Pembroke-South Dock ward, the area where the plan would be developed.
The motion calls on the Department of Transport to formally request funding for a feasibility study from the National Transport Authority, under the Smarter Travel Fund, to extend ‘parking protected’ cycle lanes beyond the 900 metre route passed by the SEAC last September.
The proposal would see these cycle lanes created on the surrounding streets of Cumberland Road, Mount Street Upper, Merrion Square, Merrion Street Upper, Ely Place, Hume Street, Stephen’s Green East, Earlsfort Terrace, through the Iveagh Gardens and on to Clonmel Street.
Smyth explained that the proposed route would mean people could cycle from Tallaght along the Dodder Greenway (in yellow in the below photo) that is currently being developed with a budget allocated by the NTA. It will be separate from the road and will terminate at Grand Canal Dock.
From here Smyth said cyclists will be able to join the existing segregated Grand Canal cycleway (in blue in the above image) to either Mount Street Upper or Cumberland Road where they can join the proposed ‘parking protected’ cycle lanes at St Stephen’s Green.
“A network like this would significantly improve the area, especially for tourists and families visiting the city centre,” he said.
When you consider the only capital investment required for the entire network is paint, it is a no-brainer.
As nine councillors already support the motion it is set to be passed. Smyth said he expects the five other councillors in his Rathgar-Rathmines ward to also support the motion, but it doesn’t affect their area directly.
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