![\"Dunboyne](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dunboyne-clonee-active-travel-link-scheme-map-co-meath-ireland.jpg\" "\\"Dunboyne")
Dunboyne to Clonee Active Travel Link Scheme map, Co Meath, Ireland (credit: Meath County Council)<\/p>\nA councillor\u2019s claim that money is being \u201cwasted\u201d on cycling infrastructure, that cycle lanes aren\u2019t being used, and that locals in general \u201cdon\u2019t want cycle lanes\u201d has been condemned by cycling campaigners, who have branded the politician\u2019s stance as \u201coutdated\u201d and \u201cdisappointing\u201d.<\/p>\n
The councillor\u2019s assertion that the local authority is \u201cspending money left, right, and centre on cycle lanes\u201d was also called into question by the cycling campaign group, who pointed out that the town in question only has one kilometre\u2019s worth of bike lanes, which they say \u201cstart and end nowhere and don\u2019t connect to anything\u201d.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cdeliver some much-needed active travel infrastructure to encourage more people to walk and cycle\u201d in the area.<\/p>\n
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\u2019 complaints.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Dunboyne to Clonee Active Travel Link Scheme map, Co Meath, Ireland (credit: Meath County Council)<\/p>\n
However, according to independent councillor Nick Killian, the proposals are indicative of Meath County Council\u2019s apparent penchant for \u201cwasting money\u201d on active travel schemes, the Irish Independent<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n Speaking at a meeting of Ratoath Municipal District, Killian said: \u201cCycle lanes are not being used. We are spending money left, right and centre on cycle lanes and they are not being used.\u201d<\/p>\n He claimed that when he visits Ashbourne he \u201crarely\u201d sees cyclists using the protected infrastructure, while he says only the lane along the outer relief road in Ratoath appears to be used.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe average number of bikes is around 40 or 50 a day. We\u2019re trying to educate the kids, and we\u2019re wasting space with another two lanes in Clonee. It\u2019s a waste of money,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He added that councillors were elected to represent public opinion and argued: \u201cThe people don\u2019t want cycle lanes.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Fine Gael councillor Gerry O\u2019Connor also raised concerns that the construction of cycleways in Clonee could impact the number of car parking spaces in the town, harming local businesses.<\/p>\n Following the meeting, however, the Navan Cycling Initiative, a local community group which aims to encourage active travel, branded the criticism of the plans \u201cdisappointing\u201d \u2013 and pointed out that the area is sorely lacking when it comes to safe cycling infrastructure.<\/p>\n \u201cDisappointing 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,\u201d the group said on social media.<\/p>\n \u201cRatoath has approximately 1km of cycle lanes on only one road \u2013 which start and end nowhere and don’t connect to anything \u2013 and it certainly wouldn’t encourage anyone to use it.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want to get more people to make the move to active travel, you have to build safe, modern, connected networks. It\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n The group continued: \u201cThese schemes are also not just for \u2018cycle lanes\u2019.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n \u201cCllr Killian is also sorely mistaken if he really believes the people don\u2019t 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 \u2013 if it is made safe to do so. Active travel brings so many benefits and we need to embrace it.\u201d<\/p>\n 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 \u201ceasier\u201d to integrate cycle and pedestrian lanes at this stage rather than \u201cdisrupting the town later.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t the first time in recent months that an attempt to introduce cycling infrastructure has come in for criticism in Ireland.<\/p>\n >\u00a0“North Korean-style project”: Anti-cycle lane protesters block road and claim new bike path will make route a “death trap” and “obstacle course”<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Dunboyne](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dunboyne-clonee-active-travel-link-scheme-co-meath-ireland.jpg\" "\\"Dunboyne")
Dunboyne to Clonee Active Travel Link Scheme, Co Meath, Ireland (credit: Meath County Council)<\/p>\n
![\"Kildare](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/5324851731221091914809666207239708370022665001n.jpg\" "\\"Kildare")
Kildare R448 cycle lane protest (credit: The Road to Nowhere\/Facebook)<\/p>\n