Drogheda Cycling Group calls for Louth County Council to step up cycling improvements in Drogheda to support its climate change strategy.
The Drogheda Cycling group has called for Louth County Council to up its ambitions to provide supporting infrastructure for cycling in Ireland’s largest town as part of its climate change strategy. The Group’s submission has called for the following infrastructural improvements to be rolled out across Drogheda;
1. Covered bicycle parking
2. Free bicycle maintenance facilities
3. Specific parking options for cargo bikes
4. Wheeling ramps to be retrofitted to outdoor steps around Drogheda
5. The areas around school entrances to be made “vehicular traffic free” using retractable bollards or similar technology to protect schoolchildren and encourage active travel
6. A “Pump Track” to be developed in St. Dominic’s Park to allow new cyclists to practice and improve their skills.
Group Chairperson Noel Hogan said:
“Louth County Council deserves credit for starting the development of safe segregated cycling facilities in the town. However now is the time to step up the development of supporting infrastructure for cycling. We believe that there are numerous initiatives that the council can undertake to support the work being done to increase the uptake of cycling in the town”.
“Covered bike parking would have obvious benefits in Ireland’s climate. Although there are some facilities at the train station there are few elsewhere in the town. We believe that these are easily developed and a network of covered bike parking locations is vital to encourage people to leave the car behind. Owners of multi storey car parks should be encouraged to retrofit some car spaces into bicycle parking. These can be combined with maintenance facilities such as pumps and tool systems to support cycling”.
“Drogheda has many outdoor steps (such as from the Marsh Road to the train station). Wheeling Ramps can be retrofitted to steps like these at relatively low cost which would allow cyclists to easily transport bikes up and down steps”.
“School entrances need to be made “traffic free” and the use of retractable bollards to close the area around school entrances to unnecessary vehicular traffic during the “school run” should be considered. This would have the additional benefit of improving safety for school children. There can be no equivocation on this – the safety of school children is of paramount importance”.
“A pump track being developed on St. Dominic’s park would help create a safe space for children and adults who are taking up cycling to practice their skills in a safe manner. This could be a significant public attraction for Drogheda”.
For further information contact;
Noel Hogan (086) 0874609