Bicycle Parking in Cork

The government want to put supports in place to encourage more people to cycle. That is good news. But its bicycle purchase scheme, and even good cycle paths are not enough on their own to win hearts and minds. In my opinion three things in particular need attention to make cycling more popular:

1. There is a need for a lot more bicycle parking;

2. A lot more employers need to provide shower and changing facilities for their staff;

3. All drivers, especially bus and lorry drivers, need to get on their bikes once in a while to see how much they put us at risk when they do not show us adequate care on the road.

Bikes on Trains

Thinking about bringing your bike on the train to Fota Wildlife Park or to Cobh?

Imagine all the fun you could have cycling around in the lovely landscape of Little Island or sunny, historic Cobh - the Monte Carlo of Ireland?!

Well forget it.

The train does NOT take bikes. I'm afraid that the concept of carrying bikes on local trains is beyond the imagination of Iarnrod Eireann (Irish Rail).

Mighty Munster Bike Park

Musgrave Park in Cork could really do with a few Bike stands. At the moment there is roughly parking space for about 4 Bikes! (which works out ok for me because I think I'm the only person who cycles to matches! Most either walk or park some distance away and walk.)

2 of these spaces are at the traffic pole down the road a bit and possibly 2 at the cable supporting the telephone pole just to the right of the entrance.

OK there's a few more poles but they're no good if you have a U-lock.

What about all the railings to the left of the entrance? I hear you say. Well these are usually cordoned off for priority parking on match days. Maybe if there were more stands provided, fans would actually cycle to the matches! How radical is that!

Come to think of it, how much bike parking is available at Thomond Park? I'm sure a lot of people would appreciate a lot less traffic clogging up the streets on big match days!

Cork Cycling Arts Festival!

Check it out!

http://www.cork-cycling-arts-festival.org/

When Good Cycle Paths Turn Bad!

Here's an example of a bad cycle path. It looks like they've been waiting for the 'Pole Removal Division' for about a year now.

Note other pole in background.

And bad examples of entry points. A step up from the road.

And what are you supposed to do at this junction if you want to go straight on?

Lots more signs, poles and lamps.

Ok, so maybe they're just reflecting the fact that a lot of kids and adults (illegally) cycle on the footpaths. But seeing as there's a legal obligation on cyclists to use the cycle path/ lane if provided, any cyclists who doesn't use this is breaking the law.

enjoy it!

adam

(thanks to Bruce)

Dangers and Annoyances

Here are some photos of some obstacles in Cork City


First off this is on Merchants Quay heading west approaching the Opera House. Some nice deep recessed drain outlets. This area was resurfaced but I think they left the covers at the old level! (and there isn't always so much space.)














Next up this is at the end of Washington Street heading west just before the new bridge linking to Sharman Crawford Street. They obviously didn't get around to filling the gap around the cover.

At least the cycle lane (?) tends to go outside it!













Here's a close-up of the same manhole cover.











This is Paul Street with the stone drains. They look great but are lethal when they're wet! Especially if you are cycling parallel to them and your front wheel happens to go into them. It will very easily slip sideways and you fall over.


I try to approach these at right angles like tram tracks.








And my own Favourite!

This is on Sraid An tAthar Maitiu heading south from the South Mall towards Father Mathew Quay. (coming upto side of RTE building)


It's a real beauty! Quite an old drain cover with a high frame.
(the U-lock is to show the scale!)




If you know of any more then you can put it up on the blog. Contact me and I'll show you how it works. Happy Cycling!


adam

p.s. comments posted can take a while to appear.

No Cycling

There seems to be a proliferation of "No Cycling" types of signs in Cork at the moment. Here's a few examples.

This is the new UCC walkway from the North Mall to the Mardyke. And a great walk it is! With beautiful trees along the river and a very nice modern bridge. It's great for walking and cycling and it's very popular.

But then they put up these signs! I don't know if you can read it but it says "Cyclists Dismount on Bridge" ( and in Irish: Rothaithe isligh anuais den rothar ar an droichead).

I'm not sure what the problem is. Maybe they're afraid of cyclists somersaulting into the river!?

This is the sign from the other side of the bridge.

If that wasn't bad enough, there's another smaller bridge with the same signs.

The sign says "Cyclists Dismount on Bridge". This bridge is about 3 metres long!

The walkway is used by lots of cyclists and I haven't seen anyone stop and dismount and walk the few paces it takes to cross and remount!

adam