A councillor’s claim that money is being “wasted” on cycling infrastructure, that cycle lanes aren’t being used, and that locals in general “don’t want cycle lanes” has been condemned by cycling campaigners, who have branded the politician’s stance as “outdated” and “disappointing”.
The councillor’s assertion that the local authority is “spending money left, right, and centre on cycle lanes” was also called into question by the cycling campaign group, who pointed out that the town in question only has one kilometre’s worth of bike lanes, which they say “start and end nowhere and don’t connect to anything”.
The row over cycling projects in Co Meath, Ireland, erupted following a council meeting discussing a planning application for the Dunboyne to Clonee Active Travel Link Scheme, which local cyclists say will “deliver some much-needed active travel infrastructure to encourage more people to walk and cycle” in the area.
The proposals consist of 3km of active travel upgrades on three roads, primarily in Clonee, located just 10 miles north-west of Dublin city centre, and include a two-way protected cycle lane, pedestrian facilities, and two raised tables to slow traffic in response to residents’ complaints.
A new 1.5km off-road greenway facility from Castlefarm, Dunboyne to Clonee is also featured in the plans, which the council says will increase active travel links for both local journeys and for those travelling to Dublin.
Dunboyne to Clonee Active Travel Link Scheme map, Co Meath, Ireland (credit: Meath County Council)
However, according to independent councillor Nick Killian, the proposals are indicative of Meath County Council’s apparent penchant for “wasting money” on active travel schemes, the Irish Independent reports.
Speaking at a meeting of Ratoath Municipal District, Killian said: “Cycle lanes are not being used. We are spending money left, right and centre on cycle lanes and they are not being used.”
He claimed that when he visits Ashbourne he “rarely” sees cyclists using the protected infrastructure, while he says only the lane along the outer relief road in Ratoath appears to be used.
Killian also claimed that the introduction of cycling infrastructure in the area is failing to encourage local children to ride their bikes to school, despite 1,000 students attending Ratoath schools.
“The average number of bikes is around 40 or 50 a day. We’re trying to educate the kids, and we’re wasting space with another two lanes in Clonee. It’s a waste of money,” he said.
He added that councillors were elected to represent public opinion and argued: “The people don’t want cycle lanes.”
Meanwhile, Fine Gael councillor Gerry O’Connor also raised concerns that the construction of cycleways in Clonee could impact the number of car parking spaces in the town, harming local businesses.
Dunboyne to Clonee Active Travel Link Scheme, Co Meath, Ireland (credit: Meath County Council)
Following the meeting, however, the Navan Cycling Initiative, a local community group which aims to encourage active travel, branded the criticism of the plans “disappointing” – and pointed out that the area is sorely lacking when it comes to safe cycling infrastructure.
“Disappointing to see this reaction from some councillors in the Ratoath Municipal District on the Dunboyne to Clonee Active Travel Links. Everyone is entitled to their views, but this is really outdated stuff,” the group said on social media.
“Ratoath has approximately 1km of cycle lanes on only one road – which start and end nowhere and don’t connect to anything – and it certainly wouldn’t encourage anyone to use it.
“If you want to get more people to make the move to active travel, you have to build safe, modern, connected networks. It’s as simple as that. Towns like Ratoath and Dunboyne are rapidly expanding and already cannot cope with the sheer volume of vehicular traffic, and the only way to reduce congestion is to offer alternatives. Especially to schools and local amenities.”
The group continued: “These schemes are also not just for ‘cycle lanes’. A massive part of them is for public realm improvements, something which our towns and villages badly need. They include enhancements such as new paths, new bus stops, new road surfaces, traffic calming, safer junctions for all, to name just a few.
“Cllr Killian is also sorely mistaken if he really believes the people don’t want cycle lanes. The large majority of people are in favour and there is lots of research and evidence which shows that people would swap the car for walking, cycling, and public transport for short journeys – if it is made safe to do so. Active travel brings so many benefits and we need to embrace it.”
At the meeting, council chair Brian Fitzgerald defended the timing of the plans, which if approved will coincide with the building of a new road, pointing out that it is “easier” to integrate cycle and pedestrian lanes at this stage rather than “disrupting the town later.”
Fitzgerald also clarified that the plans are not yet approved and have only been made publicly available so that the public can have their say.
This isn’t the first time in recent months that an attempt to introduce cycling infrastructure has come in for criticism in Ireland.
In August, we reported on a protest which took place along the route of a controversial new cycle lane in Kildare, as critics of the 3km bike path accused the council of wasting money on a “North Korean-style project” which will make the road worse for all road users.
The protest came after farmers claimed that the construction of the cycle lane along the R448 between between Moone and Timolin had made the road too narrow for combine harvesters and other large vehicles, with some reporting “struggling to use the road because of the works and that larger combines have had to divert from using the road completely”.
Kildare R448 cycle lane protest (credit: The Road to Nowhere/Facebook)
However, the scheme was also criticised by local cyclists, following concerns raised by the Irish Cycling Campaign during the consultation phase.
with 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.”
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.