Greens unveil plan for cyclists' paradise

A multi-storey floating bike-park on the River Liffey in Dublin is one of the ideas being peddled by the Green Party to make the capital a cyclists’ paradise.

Communications Minister Eamon Ryan today staged what he claimed was the world’s first mobile news conference as he led journalists on a 5km tour of central Dublin to launch his party’s 10-point vision.

Mr Ryan donned his helmet and called for more designated cycle lanes, new 30km urban speed limits and more patience towards cyclists from stressed motorists.

The Greens also want to create a tree-lined ’Liffey Boulevard’ for cyclists from Heuston Station to Custom House quay.

A car-free Sunday once a month is also being planned.

Mr Ryan referred to a 2,500-bike park floating in a canal beside the Central Station in Amsterdam – which was designed by an Irish architect.

“We’ll provide something similar on the River Liffey at Heuston Station so that commuters can bike and train with ease to and from the city centre,” he said.

Green TD Ciaran Cuffe said: “As a father myself, I bring my kids cycling through Dublin but the thing that sends the biggest shiver down your spine is the sound of a boy racer revving behind you.”

Mr Cuffe pointed out Pearse Street and the College Green area as potentially dangerous for Dublin cyclists but said the docklands region is very family-friendly for cycling, walking or roller-blading.

Mr Cuffe said Dublin can become a leading cycling city like Amsterdam or Copenhagen where a third of journeys are by bike.

The Greens estimate that only 3% of Irish people cycle to work but the party wants to increase this to 10% by 2020.

Facilities for taking bikes on buses, trams and trains will also be improved.

Mr Cuffe also suggested that cycling and walking infrastructure policy should be included under an existing junior minister’s portfolio of responsibilities.

The Cycle to Work scheme was introduced in last October’s Budget and firms who have embraced the tax-free initiative include Google, An Post and Deloitte.

The Greens also called for more counterflow cycle lanes on one-way traffic streets.

The party also expects that the new Samuel Beckett Bridge will ease traffic jams on adjacent streets when it opens in 2010.

The City Bike Scheme, due to be launched in Dublin in September, will also urge people to hire bikes to complete journeys.

The proposed 22km Sutton to Sandycove cycle route will link both ends of Dublin Bay when completed, the Greens said.