Secret Cyclist: 'Councillors who oppose cycle lanes should visit families of road victims'

Every time there’s a new plan for a cycle path, people rush in to comment that the plans will ruin the area, or lead to localised economic meltdown

Greenways, like the Waterford Greenway have proven popular with cycling enthusiasts of all ages. 

A few months ago, I sat in a room with a senior politician from a large political party in Ireland. I had an hour to speak about how to make cycling safer and more attractive in Cork city, in the context of climate action. I rattled off some ideas, the politician listened attentively and when I finished, he said something along the lines of “most of these ideas would not go down well with the electorate.”

That politician was both right and wrong. There’s ample evidence that people want safer cycling conditions in many areas in Ireland. The ‘Bike Life Dublin’ report issued by the National Transport Authority in 2020 found strong support for a wide range of safe cycling measures. That said, anyone who follows the news in Ireland will be well aware that many cycle, pedestrian, and even traffic calming measures have been vehemently opposed by a range of business groups, shop owners, residents, and others.