Galway Urban Greenway Alliance have proposed that a 2.6km temporary cycle path should be installed along the seafront from Southpark to Blackrock.
According to their spokesperson, Sean Leonard, the barriers currently in place along the prom are unsightly and dangerous. He said; “These barriers have forced cyclists out into the road where cycling is much more dangerous. This is causing increasing numbers to cycle on the prom itself, which in turn is causing a danger to pedestrians.
“The barriers are at risk of blowing over in windy conditions. People are locking bikes to them at Blackrock (since bike racks have been removed here ), the weight of which could cause them to fall out into the road.’’
The solution according to the group is to install a low cost three metre wide, two way cycle lane and to replace the cones and barriers with attractive planters and bollards.
The spokesperson said; “The existing rough path through Celia Griffin Park should be made accessible to cyclists and kissing gates should be removed. Transport Minister [Shane] Ross has in the past week announced that financial and technical support (including grant aid in full ) is being made available to all local authorities for schemes to deliver improved cycling infrastructure.
“The greenway group is delighted with this announcement and hope that the council can apply for such assistance to implement the prom cycle path. A greenway would be good for business. Research carried out for Transport for London in 2018 revealed that cyclists spent 40 per cent more in London’s shops than motorists. Cycling has also become hugely popular recently with thousands of young and old cycling to work, shops and recreational amenities in Galway City.
“A cycle path would add to the attractiveness of Galway and Salthill as a destination for domestic tourism during Covid 19. With some minor and low cost measures, families, young, and old can cycle from the Claddagh to Blackrock on a 3.6km continuous and almost entirely segregated Greenway.”
“This route already forms part of the city council’s ‘core cycling network’ plans under Galway Transport Strategy 2016. Detailed plans for the city centre to Barna greenway were prepared for the city council in 2016 but did not progress past the initial stages.
“Cities all over the world have been reallocating road space to cycling during the Covid pandemic and bike shops are selling out of bikes as people young and old have been rediscovering the joys of cycling on peaceful and traffic free roads. Over half of commuting trips on Galway city’s streets are 4km and under and segregated cycle paths have the potential to entice these short-hop commuters back to cycling. “
