Driving on cycle path

overdriver

The school near me has a carpark - a big one. I regularly cycle down past the school, but the parents don't use the carpark because its on the other side of the road. There's a pedestrian crossing, but they can't be arsed.. They park on the cycle path outside the school.

That's bad enough, but they drive on the pavement to park on it, and parallel park, which means maneuvering etc.

Then they walk their kids up the pavement and cycle path alike, giving cyclists the evil eye for endangering their kids.

I often have to go onto the road proper, which is a pain because its a good long stretch til the next place I can get back on the cyclepath without stopping. I often get beeps from drivers who object to me being on the road ( rightly) when there's a cycle path there.

I drive as well, but would never dream of doing this.

Yesterday i almost called the Gardai, I got so ticked off about it.

Should I?

Irish Salfordia

Wasting your time calling the Garda. Most of the problems on the roads are caused because everyone knows that the Gards dont enforce the regulations, so everyone does what they want knowing the chance of being penalised is nil.

Anan1

Why not talk to the school? I'd imagine they would be helpful enough.

Wishbone Ash

Write a letter to the Secretary of the Board of Management. (I presume it's a primary school). It will have to be read out at the next meeting and it may result in a circular being sent to parents re parking on a cycle lane/path/track.

overdriver

I like that one, except that I'd rather them not know it was me giving out. it's a small community...

NeMiSiS

The travelling community ? You know like.. travelling to and from the school..

Victor

Have a word with the council, complaining that the school is causing a nuisance.

Or the Garda.

lostexpectation

is this a seperate cycle path they park on or just a red patch?

overdriver

It's a red section of pavement. It's off the road itself, but divided from teh pavement only by the colour of the tarmac.

slumped

ring the gardai every day it happens until they do something about it.

the gardai hate being asked to do anything that seems trivial.

If nothing is done then report the Gardai to the Traffic Office.

Supt. John Farrelly is the main man in that office in Phoenix Park

S

maidhc

Parents generally cause consternation and confusion outside every school between the hours of 8.30-9.30 and 2-4. I think this happens outside every school in the country! Certainly it happens outside every school I know of. In Glanmire (outside Cork City) for instance the village comes to a standstill for a half an hour and there may be a mile long tailback

I can't see the Gardaí wanting to know about your particular situation!

atlantean

Irish Salfordia wrote:

Wasting your time calling the Garda. Most of the problems on the roads are caused because everyone knows that the Gards dont enforce the regulations, so everyone does what they want knowing the chance of being penalised is nil.

This is so true!

However by reporting it to the Guards they have to log the report in their book. Do this a couple of times and they will have to respond to it - otherwise they will be failing their duties. Also, if an accident should occur and you have reported the situation and it has not been acted on someone could get into trouble!

cwynnes

Im likin the idea of writing a letter to the parents council....or how about do both......its one sure way to get somethin done

RainyDay

I agree with contacting the school and the Gardai - the local community guard might be a good starting point.

Our man in Havana

Still a waste of time, as stated earlier the gardai will do nothing.

Wishbone Ash

slumped wrote:

the gardai hate being asked to do anything that seems trivial.

In fairness to the Gardai, they are in a no-win situation. If they ticket motorists for parking in a cycle lane, they will be accused of not going after 'real' criminals. In my area, 90% of motorists park with two wheels on the footpath - illegal and unnecessary. Occasionally, when they are rightly issued with tickets, the Garda is referred to as a 'bóllox' in the local pub just because he does his job.