Cycling advocacy group call for an increase in model share targets

THE modal share targets for walking and cycling in the County Development Plan “are not ambitious enough to impact placemaking and climate action goals”, according to the Dublin Cycling Campaign.

The South Dublin branch of the Dublin Cycling Campaign made this claim in their observation on the Draft County Development Plan, where they also called for the inclusion of e-scooters.

“The plan does not include any mention of e-bikes or personal powered transporters (PPTs), e.g., e-scooters,” stated Muireann O’Dea of the Dublin Cycling Campaign in her observation.

“E-bikes have the potential to replace longer car journeys of 6-12km. While PPTs are incredibly space efficient (both when moving and ‘parked’), [they] do not contribute to noise pollution and use minimal energy when compared with the energy use of 2000 kg+ cars.”

On a wider scale, the cycling advocacy group called for an increase in the modal share targets for walking and cycling, proposing 20 per cent for walking and 15 per cent for cycling.

Elsewhere, the group proposed public transport objectives including the provision of secure, free bicycle parking at all rail stations and public transport interchanges, and they added that all BusConnects routes should include “provision for safe cycling for people of all ages”.

The Dublin Cycling Campaign is calling for better infrastructure in Rathcoole

In relation to active travel and schools, the group noted that it was their understanding that 60 of the 78 schools within the county are within 200m of the proposed Cycle South Dublin network.

“Each of these schools needs to be analysed to determine what additional measures are required to enable pupils to travel the final 200m, and indeed how school children in local communities are to access these networks safely,” they stated.

“The County Development Plan should include an objective to provide safe cycling links from each of these 60 schools to the Cycle South Dublin network.”

The Dublin Cycling Campaign also called for cycling infrastructure in rural communities in the county, such as Newcastle, Rathcoole and Brittas.

“These are important residential settings but are also destinations for leisure cyclists,” they stated.

“Adding infrastructure to these areas, and connecting them into the planned urban routes, will be valuable for commuters but also open it up for leisure cycling.”

The Dublin Cycling Campaign is a voluntary independent group that works to bring about improved conditions for cyclists and greater recognition of the benefits of cycling.