An independent councillor in Dublin has attacked a report that concluded that people want to see more cycle lanes built, outdoor seating and more road crossings. 

71% said they wanted to see more cycle lanes and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan enthused that the report was “packed with good news”. 

“This report is also helping us build a picture of what people need, gaps in infrastructure and how we can improve things further so that we can make it more attractive for even more people to choose walking, wheeling and cycling in years to come,” Minister Ryan said in a press release.

However, Cllr Mannix Flynn, who represents the South East Inner City on Dublin City Council, was incensed to read that the report’s endorsement of more cycle infrastructure and claims they harm the disabled: 

“It doesn’t mention the fact that people who have disabilities will be further marginalised,” Cllr Flynn complained to The Pat Kenny Show. 

“And that there’s an inequality here. 

“But where do you put the cars, where do the cars actually go? Because they’re not talking about removing cars. They’re talking about implanting cycle lanes." 

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He continued that while most people “want a proper environment” the current plans do not have community support:

“At the moment in the city, as you go out there into to Dublin town, it’s chocablock because of traffic and because of the way it’s aligned. 

“And now we have Capel Street coming on stream in terms of pedestrianisation and again, where does all that particular traffic go? 

“Anyone I’ve spoken to, yes they want a proper environment, they want a city that works, they want to be able to walk, to be able to cycle, they want to be able to go about in their wheelchairs, they want proper mobility. 

“But this isn’t that. This is simply shoving it down our throats.” 

A screenshot from the Heuston Masterplan video showing bike park slots. Picture by: CIE

However, Martina Callanan, deputy chair of the Galway Cycling Campaign, welcomed the report and said it underlined that more people would like to cycle: 

“Of people who would like to cycle but currently don’t - that’s about 22% of people overall,” she explained. 

“And really significantly one in four women would like to cycle but don’t do and for ethnic minorities about one in three people would like to cycle but don’t.” 

She added: 

“We saw in the pandemic that when people felt safer to be out in our streets, they walked more and they cycled more. 

“And this can only bring good things.”

Main image: A cyclist uses the newly created pop-up cycle lane on Belfast's Dublin Road. Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced last week that pop-up cycle lanes were set to be introduced across Belfast. Picture by: PA.