A protest marched along the route of a controversial new cycle lane in Kildare in Ireland this weekend, critics of the 3km bike path accusing the council of wasting money on a “North Korean-style project” which will make the road worse for all road users.
We first reported the situation concerning the R448 between between Moone and Timolin last week, local farmers speaking out about the construction which they say has made the road too narrow for combine harvesters and other large vehicles. Some reported “struggling to use the road because of the works and that larger combines have had to divert from using the road completely”, the picture below shared online last week.
Kildare R448 cycle lane construction (credit: The Road to Nowhere/Facebook)
A protest march was held on the road over the weekend, hundreds of people carrying banners and walking along the R448 in opposition to the major infrastructure project, which is expected to cost around €1.6m.
Kildare R448 cycle lane protest (credit: The Road to Nowhere/Facebook)
A couple of people with bikes were spotted among the protesters, the critics of the scheme claiming they have the support of cycling groups and local cyclists.
Kildare R448 cycle lane protest (credit: The Road to Nowhere/Facebook)
One road.cc reader local to the route told us: “I live in the area, it’s a lovely wide road with a wide hard shoulder. I’ve cycled it a few times a year for the past ten years and never once thought this section needed a cycle lane. Next time I pass through, I’ll be expected to cycle on the cycle lane and will probably get a puncture from all the crap that’ll never be cleaned out of it.”
The Irish Cycling Campaign also raised concerns during the consultation stage, however Kildare County Council believes the project will make the route more accessible for active travel journeys, the speed limit also set to be reduced from 100kph to 60kph during the construction phase.
On Friday disgruntled locals marched in protest at the project, people seen carrying placards and banners which said ‘Bike 3 Cars 300 Logic 0’ and ‘Why not a unicorn lane too?’. Other signs also referenced concerns about a lack of consultation, however Kildare County Council is clear that the scheme went through statutory public consultation in 2024, with amendments made in response to submissions.
Stating that the protest turnout was “very heartening”, Mark Hilliard of the Moone Timolin Positive Action Group (and Road to Nowhere anti-cycle lane campaign) said it proved “that the community is behind us”.
Kildare R448 cycle lane protest (credit: The Road to Nowhere/Facebook)
Last week, Mr Hilliard said: “Nobody asked for it and nobody will use it. It’s a North Korean-style capital project,” he said. “By anybody’s standards, it’s a complete and utter white elephant. We’ve had no help from elected representatives – it’s a disaster. It’s our desire that the roadway is put back to the way it was or, at the very least, engagement from Kildare County Council. This has been rammed down our throats.”
The Kildare Nationalist reported that local cycling clubs had told them they would not use it due to junction crossings and other issues, the narrower road now less pleasant than the previous layout — although it’s worth also remembering that active travel schemes are not aimed at experienced sport or leisure cyclists and the council is aiming to encourage new cyclists with a protected, accessible route alongside a busy main road.
The local news site said a cyclist, Barry Moore, had told them: “No cyclist will go inside that kerb with no one to clear the debris. No one wants punctures, and we have to stop at the junction and get off the bike.”
Other protesters who weren’t cyclists called the new layout an “obstacle course” and a “death trap”.
During the consultation last summer, the Irish Cycling Campaign also expressed concerns and while the campaign group said, naturally, it was happy to see such a cycling infrastructure project being advanced, there remained issues surrounding the “shoddy presentation of this important pilot scheme”. Local campaigners have now planned a follow-up public meeting for later this week.