CALL TO ACTION: DEADLINE 5PM TODAY 

Lombard Street Proposed Contraflow Cycle Lane Consultation

Check out the Consultation page on Lombard Street East Contra Flow on Dublin City Council link https://consultation.dublincity.ie/traffic-and-transport/contraflow-cycl…

Please consider making your own submission on this project to Dublin City Council at  traffic@dublincity.ie
Feel free to use any or all of the text below in your submission.

DUBLIN CYCLING CAMPAIGN DRAFT RESPONSE

1.0 Introduction

Dublin Cycling Campaign has been working for over twenty five years to encourage cycling in the Dublin region, and to represent the interests of everyday commuting cyclists. We are a registered charity (RCN 20102029) that advocates for better cycling conditions throughout Dublin. Dublin Cycling Campaign is the leading member of Cyclist.ie, the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network (ICAN), which is in turn the Irish member of the European Cyclists’ Federation. We want to make Dublin a safe and friendly place for everyone of all ages to cycle.

Dublin Cycling Campaign welcomes this initiative by Dublin City Council to create this contra flow cycle track, having campaigned and sought to make it happen for many years. We are broadly happy with the proposals, but wish to add some specific comments which we suggest will improve the overall safety and value of the proposed scheme.

2.0 Specific Comments

2.1 Westland Row We are unhappy with the outline of the proposed entry of cyclists travelling northwards along Westland Row into the new proposed contra flow arrangement. The scheme as outlined here is asking cyclists to cross through heavy traffic lanes, will deter novice cyclists, and will put cyclists’ safety at risk. It is not dissimilar to the present poor arrangement at Patrick St/Christchurch junction. We suggest 4 minor amendments, which should increase the safety of vulnerable users wishing to use the proposed contra flow route: 1 Install an ASL prior to the existing pedestrian crossing south of the railway bridge, to enable any cyclists wanting to use the Lombard St East contra flow to get into the correct outside lane reasonably easily. 2 Provide on-road advisory cycle logos in outside traffic lane between above pedestrian crossing and proposed new cycle lane at main junction. 3 Install an ASL prior to the existing pedestrian crossing at Westland Row, Pearse st junction, and a special ‘pocket’ for cyclists to wait at the crossing when through traffic is on green. 4 Ensure that all crossings - of Westland Row, and Pearse St - are Toucan crossings so that cyclists and pedestrians can legally use them simultaneously.

2.2 Lombard St East from Pearse St to Townsend St, including Junction Mark’s Lane is an often busy one way exit route on to Lombard St East, also used by Europcar Car Hire company. We recommend that a raised pedestrian/cyclist ramp be built at this side road, and a YIELD sign and line be inserted, to protect pedestrians and vulnerable road users travelling in the contraflow direction.

First Stop Car Repair business is close to Townsend St junction and cars need to cross the new contra flow route to enter and exit the premises. Some form of clear markings will be required in this area to protect vulnerable road users travelling in the contraflow direction. We also recommend that the 3.5m concrete island be extended back southwards to a full 6m, to give greater protection to vulnerable road users travelling in the contraflow direction from vehicles entering First Stp business.

We do not understand the reasoning for the 2.9m concrete island proposed at the northwest corner of Townsend St Junction, as it blocks the route of eastwards travelling cyclists, and there is no left turn of traffic across the cycle lane at this location. We recommend the removal of this island and the installation of a straight cycle lane across the junction from west to east.

Similarly we contend that the 1.2m concrete island proposed for the northeast corner of this junction will in fact put cyclists at risk. Cyclists wanting to travel southwards through the junction are forced left initially. This will lead to drivers’ perception that cyclists are taking a left turn, who actually want to go straight ahead, and is an increase in potential conflict.
We recommend the removal of this concrete island and the extension of the orcas southwards till they are in line with Townsend St kerbline, similar to what was done at Leeson St/Earlsfort Terrace junction by Council. We also recommend, in the interests of increased safety, and because of the relatively high volume of left turning traffic, that cyclists be given an advance green light at this junction travelling southwards. We would also like to see a straightening of the outside of the cycle lane markings on the southeast side of the junction, across the junction, and in Lombard Street East, and the insertion of some orcas or preferably upright wands, to protect cyclists prior to reaching vehicle parking area.

It is also critical at this Townsend St Junction that all three signalised crossings of the junction are Toucan crossings to enable cyclists and pedestrians cross simultaneously.

We welcome the improved cycle lane proposed on the Townsend St (West) entrance to the junction, but recommend in line with our comments above, that the marking be straight into the junction and not force eastward travelling cyclists to veer left. We would also like to see orcas along this entry section to the junction.

2.3 Townsend St to City Quay Similar to Mark’s Lane, as referred to in section 2.2 above, we recommend that raised pedestrian/cyclist ramps be built at these side roads, and a YIELDsign and line be inserted, to protect pedestrians and cyclists, particularly those using the contraflow facility.

We are unhappy that the limit of the works does not include the crossing areas at the City Quay junction. We suggest that an improved arrangement for the contraflow cycle route would be the narrowing of the eastwards turning lane into Lombard St East from City Quay, and the continuation of the contraflow lane right into the crossing, which should be confirmed as a Toucan crossing? This would of course include a widening of the existing footpath at the southwestern edge of this junction, to encompass a separate cycle path.

It is important, in the context of this proposal, that the present ban on cycling on Seán O Casey Bridge be lifted, and the actual everyday situation be ratified. Cyclists should be allowed to cycle ‘legally’ on the Seán O Casey Bridge

We would also suggest that the closure of City Quay-Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, between Lombard St East and Mill St to eastbound traffic be seriously considered, as this would only marginally affect vehicular movement in the area. This arrangement would enable a redesign of the traffic island at the City Quay junction to tie in directly to the river cycle and pedestrian corridors, and would ensure greater safety for vulnerable road users in general.

2.4 General Issues We recommend that this contar flow route be surfaced in red coloured asphalt to clearly distinguish it from the existing road surface and to further give protection to cyclists using it. It would also match with the existing red colour of the cycle lane travelling southwards on this street.

It is not 100% clear from the online drawings where exactly all the orcas are being placed. It would be useful to have full clarity on this. But further to placement of Orcas we also recommend that upright wands be used in locations close to junctions and areas of high vulnerability for cyclists.

3.0 Summary/Conclusion As stated above Dublin Cycling Campaign warmly welcomes this proposed initiative, which is long overdue. However we wish to see: 1 Greater protection and guidance for cyclists at the junctions 2 Clarification on use of Toucan crossings throughout 3 Raised crossings and Yield protection at side road junctions 4 Installation of ASLs

Thank you for taking the time to send in an email today. Enjoy the rest of the bank holiday. 
Chairperson Dublin Cycling Campaign 
Dr Paul Corcoran