Afraid to use cycle trail along the Grand Canal

A CYCLING enthusiast councillor would be afraid to use the cycle trail on the Grand Canal between Inchicore and Bluebell for her own safety.

A major garda operation was carried out on the canal a number of years ago, following a spate of robberies and attacks on cyclists using the canal.

Speaking at the South Central area meeting this week, Cllr Sophie Nicoullaud (R2C) said she “would love to cycle more to Park West where I work, because of safety I won’t and that’s a shame.

“So I have to go on the road.”

“A lot of people and women wouldn’t run on the canal between Drimnagh and Inchicore, again because of safety.

“That’s somebody who just wants to step outside and not being part of a club.

“It’s not about reinventing something but protecting what we have an enhancing this.”

Cllr Nicoullaud was speaking during a presentation of a new Dublin City Council Sports Plan 2023 – 2028 – which aims to transform the city into one of the “most active” in the world.

Cllr Nicoullaud said she hopes to see swimming included in the programme for kids in the summer months with the canal water in good condition.

Brian McNeice Senior Managing Director with Teneo, who outlined the main objectives of the plan, said all of the city streets, parks, canals, pathways, are natural places where people can choose to be active.

“We need the make them as inviting and conducive to being active as possible, that’s the rationale that sits behind large chunks of the plan.”

Mr McNeice said swimming was identified as an important part of the four sports in the national policy, along with running, jogging and walking.