Galway’s community cycling groups and cycle-buses are united in supporting Option 2 for the Salthill Temporary Cycleway. They are encouraging residents, school and sport communities, businesses and visitors to participate in the public consultation which closes at 4pm on Friday January 28.
It is the intention of Galway City Council to implement the Salthill Temporary Cycleway from March to September 2022.
Galway Cycling Campaign and Galway Urban Greenway Alliance said that Option 2 is the better and more viable option. It retains two-way vehicular access along the Prom, which is important to maintaining bus routes in both directions, as well as providing more taxi rank spaces compared to the other option.
Access to the Prom
The community groups said that more needs to be done to ensure people of all ages and abilities can enjoy safe access to the Prom.
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“We need more blue badge parking, and the parking for people with disabilities at Ladies Beach needs to be on the Prom side of the road for safe and direct access to the beach,” said Kevin Jennings of Galway Cycling Campaign. “There also needs to be more pedestrian crossings along the route.”
Michelle Smyth of Galway Urban Greenway Alliance said that parking for older people needs to be provided. “We are again calling for Age Friendly parking along the seafront in the Seapoint car park. We’ve heard that older people want to be able to sit in their cars and enjoy the stunning views of Galway Bay, and these courtesy parking spots would enable them to do so. It’s very simple to allocate a few spots for older people.”
Cycleway is for everyone
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The Salthill Temporary Cycleway will connect the suburb of Knocknacarra to Salthill village and beyond. The protected 3km cycleway will be an important part of safe routes to primary and secondary schools in Salthill and the city centre, as well as to shops, cafés and restaurants, beaches, leisure facilities and other local attractions.
“It’s important to remember that this cycleway isn’t for people like me - male, middle-aged, able-bodied, confident cycling in traffic,” said Mr Jennings. “It's for people you don’t see cycling right now - children, teenagers, women, people with disabilities. It’s for people who would like to cycle to school or shops or work but don’t, because they don’t feel safe sharing the busy road with cars, buses and trucks.”
The public consultation online form is available at www.galwaycity.ie/salthilltemporarycycleway or people can simply email [email protected] by Friday January 28.
