Donal Hickey: It’s often faster to get through traffic-clogged towns by bike — or shank’s mare
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In the midst of all the science, and studies relating to climate change, the simple, practical steps are sometimes overlooked.
A letter from Mary Shanahan, of Tralee, County Kerry, published in this newspaper on November 4 last, was full of common sense and contained thoughts well worth considering as a new year looms.
She dealt with emissions from transport and welcomed more regular bus services and extra routes in rural areas. However, she also pointed to a lack of policy in relation to good public transport in towns around the country.
While many towns have grown considerably in recent decades, public transport has not kept pace and people are faced with traffic congestion as they try to drive their cars around them. At the same time, people are being urged to leave the car at home.
“Surely, the easiest place to begin is within our town and cities, to have a public transport network and cycle routes so brilliant that all residents have no need to use a private car," Mary wrote.
The Government has announced plans for more than 1,000km of new and improved cycling facilities, due to be completed by 2025. The plans include cycleways running through the countryside but, it might be argued, not nearly enough cycle lanes are being provided within towns and cities.
Given the narrow streets in many urban areas, it’s often difficult to provide such lanes. Safely facilitating cyclists in urban streets designed to suit motorised transport for a century, or more, is a serious challenge.
There’s ongoing criticism about cycle lanes being too close to passing motor vehicles, and sometimes ending abruptly, with the cyclist running into traffic and pedestrian crossings.
Even allowing for all that, it’s often faster to get through traffic-clogged towns by bike, or shank’s mare.
Commendable efforts are being made in some places. If cycle lanes are provided, more people will use them as evidenced in Cork city, which has seen a steady increase in year-round cyclists.
About one-third of respondents to a national travel survey agreed safer urban cycling routes would encourage them to use the bike more, according to the WeLoveCycling website, also aware that cycling is good for our physical and mental health, and helps reduce air pollution.
A UCC study estimated transport-related emissions could be reduced by 0.12 million tonnes if 45% of all journeys under 6km were by either cycling, or walking.
Let’s leave the last word to Mary Shanahan who believes it should be possible to provide a good public bus service in major towns, with signed bus stops and shelters: “Think of the reduced number of cars, the improved air quality!"