Velo-city 2005 Dublin

robfitz

The international cycling conference Velo-city is going to be hosted in Dublin at the end of the month (May 31st - June 3rd), by the DoT, DCC, DTO and ECF.

I'm looking forward to the opportunity to discuss the cycling situation here in Ireland with lots of cyclists and engineers. But I'm not looking forward to the cheap PR stunts by the Minister, etc, trying to push the idea that Irelands cyclists need more bloody cycle lanes.


http://www.velo-city2005.com/

WELCOME TO CONFERENCE

Dublin is delighted to welcome you to the 15th Velo-city conference. The Velo-city series of conferences is unlike any other transportation conference worldwide

It is unique:

* In networking terms, bringing experts, state and local authorities, industry and cycle users together.
* In terms of transferring the best understanding and expertise, through an intense 4-day city centre conference.
* In terms of value, with attractive fees covering meals, conference proceedings, technical tours and other events.
* In terms of quality, with jury-based competition to select speakers for Velo-city.
* In terms of fun - Velo-city is always enjoyable!

The Dublin Velo-city conference aims:

* To promote cycling in modern urban living.
* To share the recent Dublin cycle experiences with developing cities.
* To provide a forum for the communication of ideas.
* To demonstrate the role of cycling within an integrated strategy.
* To provoke discussion, debate and action and prepare for Velo Mondial 2006.

I'd like to see this thread discuss the event and link to any news items about the event. (Sticky?)

Trojan

Wow, I won't be heading along for a look, that's for sure.

But isn't it great how they've a cheap option for full-time students?

website wrote:

Delegate Registration - 975.00 EUR

Delegates are provided with access to any Velo-City plenary and technical session, the opportunity to choose from site visits associated with the conference (places are limited), all lunches and coffee on each day of the conference, evening Dinner events on June 1st and June 2nd 2005, conference proceedings and a delegate bag.

Discount Fee - 400.00 EUR

The Discount fee is intended for the following delegate types: - Full-time students - Accredited NGO members and Cycle Advocacy Group members * - Delegates from EU 2004 enlargement and Accession applicant countries - Delegates from developing countries outside Europe
*Please note this €400 fee is a special rate designed to make the conference as accessible as possible to those not employed in the transport sector. In order to be fair to everyone, the EUR400 is applicable only to those working in the voluntary sector, and members of cycle campaigns so long as they are not employed in cycling work. You must send proof eligibility to the Registration Desk on registering for the conference, otherwise your registration will not be confirmed. Proof of registration consists of a letter from your organisation.

daymobrew

The conference kicks off with a 10km escorted cycle through the city on Tuesday 31st May at 19:30, starting at Mayor Square in the IFSC.

Register at: http://www.docklandscitycycle.ie/

The conference seems to have some interesting talks, pity it is so expensive. And it's a pity that info@velo-city2005.com doesn't respond to emails.

Trojan

Sounds good - might do that for a laugh. What's the route? Don't have whatever bloody plugin that site needs.

robfitz

Trojan wrote:

Sounds good - might do that for a laugh. What's the route? Don't have whatever bloody plugin that site needs.

The route is:

Starts Mayor Street, IFSC
A bit of a lap around the IFSC
City Quay
Macken Street
Warrington Place
Merrion Square
Westland Row
Pearse Street
Westmoreland Street
O'Connell Street
Parnell Street
Capel Street
North quay's back to IFSC

I would recommend you get the plugin the map is really nice.

cyclopath2001

daymobrew wrote:

The conference kicks off with a 10km escorted cycle through the city on Tuesday 31st May at 19:30, starting at Mayor Square in the IFSC.

Wonderful, parking is allowed in most Dublin cycle tracks after 19:00...............

daymobrew

Trojan wrote:

Sounds good - might do that for a laugh. What's the route?

I took two screenshots - one of the full route and the other zoomed in, so you could see what robfitz liked about the map.
I don't know why they couldn't have used a jpeg or a pdf. I've emailed to ask them to also provide it in one of those formats.

I've registered to join in. It's always cool to see loads of cyclists together.

robfitz

cyclopath2001 wrote:

Wonderful, parking is allowed in most Dublin cycle tracks after 19:00...............

This will be pointed out to the delegates. There should also be series or guided cycle tours around the city for the delegates.

cyclopath2001

robfitz wrote:

This will be pointed out to the delegates. There should also be series or guided cycle tours around the city for the delegates.

At 19:30 on a summer's evening, that route looks more like a pleasure trip than a useful insight into the conditions experienced by Dublin cyclists.

Will the international delegates cycle from the Airport? Maybe it could be arranged for them to have their luggage taken to their hotels and they could evaluate some real cycle tracks by cycling in from the airport. The north side has some beauts.

Greenman

Off topic sorry but cyclopath2001 do you have your PM option removed for a reason? as the odd time I'd like to PM you!!!

robfitz

robfitz wrote:

There should also be series or guided cycle tours around the city for the delegates.

The planned guided cycle tours will take place in the afternoon and the routes will include:

Northside - Custom House, Fairview, Malahide Road, Swords Road, Capel Street, Dame Street.

Southside - Harolds Cross, Rathfranham, Templeogue, Rathgar, Rathmines.

South city center - Dame Street, James Street, Kilmainham, Grand Canal, Ranelagh, Leeson Street.

cyclopath2001

robfitz wrote:

The planned guided cycle tours will take place in the afternoon and the routes will include: Northside - Custom House, Fairview, Malahide Road, Swords Road, Capel Street, Dame Street.

The best approach to this one would be along Eden Quay, starting at around 5pm any weekday. Make sure to observe the 'shared' car/bicycle lane approaching the junction of Marino Mart and the Malahide Road.

Be certain to get liability waivers from all participants.

Greenman

Greenman wrote:

Off topic sorry but cyclopath2001 do you have your PM option removed for a reason? as the odd time I'd like to PM you!!!

Any chance of a reply please!!!!

cyclopath2001

Greenman wrote:

Any chance of a reply please!!!!

Sorry, I don't do IM.

Greenman

cyclopath2001 wrote:

Sorry, I don't do IM.

Whats IM?

cyclopath2001

Greenman wrote:

Whats IM?

Or PM.

Greenman

cyclopath2001 wrote:

Or PM.

Pity as I said before I'd like to contact you from time to time!!!

Well both our loss!!!!

Good luck and if you do decide to open you're PM option let me know!!!

To other folks out there interested in cycling in the Dublin area
cyclopath2001 has a very nice site!!!

robfitz

"Cycle lanes to double as Dublin rivals Dutch" Page 5, The Sunday Time May 22, 2005

I haven't seen it yet but there was a suppliment written by the DTO in the Sunday Independent

Signs for the Docklands Cycle event can be seen on bus shelters around the city.

Metrobest

What a nice piece of comedy, that article in yesterday's Sunday Times. Once past the headline, the article tells us that within "ten" years there will be a few more pieces of red chalk on our roadsides - much of it between Sutton and Sandycove: not where it's actually needed on the city centre's dangerous streets. The best Dublin's cyclists can hope for is tokenism, so. This can come in the form of bits of red chalk painted as an afterthought on the side of the road, or ridiculous "bike" signs in the double-decker bus lanes.

The measures to "help" cyclists are all wrong. They're about ghettoising cyclists into unsuitable "cycle tracks" and limiting the amount of people attracted to cycling by telling cyclists to dress up in flourescant yellow jackets. Some of the solutions are laughable. Showers in workplaces? Comic. It reinforces the notion that cycling is to endured, not enjoyed. Cycling should be done leisurely like the way the Dutch do it: here it's all yellow jackets, horrible bikes, helmets, lycra shorts and sweat.

Dublin will never rival Dutch, because the people who wield power drive cars. Or until the Green Party get in.

Alun

Actually showers in workplaces are quite common in Holland, precisely for that reason, i.e. sweat.

Metrobest

Maybe in the provinical towns where people cycle for longer. In the big cities people cycle relatively short distances on flat ground using gearless bikes so sweat does not feature.

Gavin

Metrobest wrote:

The measures to "help" cyclists are all wrong. They're about ghettoising cyclists into unsuitable "cycle tracks" and limiting the amount of people attracted to cycling by telling cyclists to dress up in flourescant yellow jackets. Some of the solutions are laughable. Showers in workplaces? Comic. It reinforces the notion that cycling is to endured, not enjoyed. Cycling should be done leisurely like the way the Dutch do it: here it's all yellow jackets, horrible bikes, helmets, lycra shorts and sweat.

Dublin will never rival Dutch, because the people who wield power drive cars. Or until the Green Party get in.

I agree with the first part of your post, but the second part is just ridiculous. Fluorescent jackets are a good idea. "Be Safe, Be Seen" ? Same reason I have lights on my bike ! I wear a helmet because when I eventually come off the bike I want to keep my noggin in one piece.

Showers in workplaces is a practical suggestion that does help people to cycle. I cycle to get to where I'm going, not necessarily in pursuit of lesiure. I cycle fast and get sweaty in around 10 minutes. If I don't have access to a shower, I wouldn't be able to commute via a bicycle, it's that simple.

f I didn't have somewhere to park/lock my bicycle, I wouldn't be able to commute via bicycle. The cycling infrastructure doesn't just consist of cycle lanes !!

Gav

Alun

Metrobest wrote:

Maybe in the provinical towns where people cycle for longer. In the big cities people cycle relatively short distances on flat ground using gearless bikes so sweat does not feature.

Nothing "maybe" about it, and it depends on your definition of "big" I suppose, but I've worked for large companies in (amongst others) Utrecht, Eindhoven, Tilburg, Breda and 's-Hertogenbosch, hardly small towns, and they all had showers. But then I only lived there for 13 years, so what do I know?

robfitz

Sorry about getting this out late but I only found out today.

The Velo City Supplement is in todays Irish Independent. Lots of text, photos and a diagram of the strategic cycle network (rubbish).

Victor

http://www.docklandscitycycle.ie/index.html

Mucco

Metrobest wrote:

Maybe in the provinical towns where people cycle for longer. In the big cities people cycle relatively short distances on flat ground using gearless bikes so sweat does not feature.

Sweat does feature in my Dublin commute.

M

daymobrew

Verb wrote:

I cycle fast and get sweaty in around 10 minutes. If I don't have access to a shower, I wouldn't be able to commute via a bicycle, it's that simple.

f I didn't have somewhere to park/lock my bicycle, I wouldn't be able to commute via bicycle. The cycling infrastructure doesn't just consist of cycle lanes !!

Same here - I cycle fast (it's great to be able to combine good exercise into my commute) and need a shower at the end. Without a shower it would be quite a problem.
I know a good few companies that do *not* have showers, even ones in suburban business parks where space is not an issue.
I've been lucky that all the companies I've worked in have had showers.
If a company didn't have cycling facilities (shower/parking) I would have to think twice about the job. Again, thankfully I haven't had to make such a decision yet.

Metrobest

Alun wrote:

Utrecht, Eindhoven, Tilburg, Breda and 's-Hertogenbosch, hardly small towns, and they all had showers. But then I only lived there for 13 years, so what do I know?

Well I'm sure you haven't been in every office in those towns :rolleyes: My experience of small/medium-sized offices in Amsterdam centre and Den Haag is that showers don't feature often. And when they do, they're rarely used because people tend to use public transport when the distance is of a sweat-producing nature!

The priority for Dublin must be to get the cycle lane infrastructure up to scratch. I'm not saying showers in workplaces aren't a good thing: they are; but they should be more of an issue for individual companies to sort out. What's the point having seven showers in every office, but nobody using them because the cycle lanes are so wicked?

Mucco

Metrobest wrote:

The priority for Dublin must be to get the cycle lane infrastructure up to scratch.

Cycle lanes aren't all they're cracked up to be:
http://www.lesberries.co.uk/cycling/infra/research.html

cyclopath2001

Metrobest wrote:

Once past the headline, the article tells us that within "ten" years there will be a few more pieces of red chalk on our roadsides - much of it between Sutton and Sandycove:

As far as I recall, on the last 'car-free' day when cities were supposed to close streets, Dublin City Council closed one road on the Bull Island.......

robfitz

Bump.

Velo starts today, don't forget the docklands cycle tonight.

robfitz

Bump.

Velo starts today, don't forget the docklands cycle tonight.

robfitz

The conference is going well, lots of great presentations and discussions. I'll try a pick out the best one's after the conference.

I've put together a few random comments or thoughts I've tried to
express or heard at the conference (there not exact quotes).


The Irish policy for cycle infrastructure seems to be quantity not quality.


Delegate: These pictures only show the bad stuff.
Me: ... a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link ...


Delegate: Some of the facilities in these pictures don't look too bad.
Me: Unlike in some countries cyclists in Ireland are required by law to use cycle tracks when provided.
Delegate: I didn't know that.
(looks again and has a different opinion of the facility)


Delegate: Can you also point out some good examples?
Me: I don't think there are any.


Jr: I'm happy for me and my family to use an off road cycle track and use the pedestrians lights to cross at the junction.
(he doesn't care about any other type of cyclist)


When someone is learning how to drive we don't provided Learner Lanes.


When someone has finished learning how to drive we expect them to be a certain type of driver, they can travel safely at speed, use complex roundabouts, etc. What do we expect of a cyclist?


Who is the design users for this cycle facility? School children, teenagers, students, adults. Beginner or experienced cyclist?



Who is the user base for this road, what is the role of this road? Schools, shops, offices, local roads, motorway?


What is the goal of this facility? Recreation, commuting, both, other?


Does/can this facility accommodate beginner and experienced cyclists?


They've spent 30 million building 300 km of cycle tracks over 10 years and cycle numbers have gone down by over 50%. Has that cycling policy worked?


The standard 1.5 meters with the minimum at 1.25 meters, they only used the minimum. We changed the minimum to 1.5 meters.


The Irish term 'cycle track' is used for both off road cycle tracks and on road cycle lanes.


Good cycle facilities
* Green field, park cycle routes
* Over and under passes at complex junctions
* Cycle lanes that allow the cyclists to bypass congested traffic


Hierarchy of Measures
1. Traffic reduction
2. Traffic calming
3. Junction treatment and traffic management
4. Redistribution of the carriageway
5. Cycle lanes and cycle tracks

Trojan

Fair play to you rob, keep us updated.

Thanks,
Al.

cyclopath2001

robfitz wrote:

Hierarchy of Measures
1. Traffic reduction
2. Traffic calming
3. Junction treatment and traffic management
4. Redistribution of the carriageway
5. Cycle lanes and cycle tracks

.....

99. Making it safer and more convenient to cycle.

robfitz

I sent this out last week cc'ing the minister etc. http://273k.net/cycling/opinionpiece.html

What do you think?

Opinion Piece: Cyclists to face further restrictions on the roads of Ireland

From: Robert Fitzsimons

Date: Thursday 26 May 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE USE

Cyclists to face further restrictions on the roads of Ireland

With Dublin hosting the international cycling conference Vélo-City [1]
at the end of the month, the government has announced more money to
provide more cycle tracks.

So instead of using the conference to renew the public debate about the
future of cycling policy in Ireland, the government continues the
current policy [2] which has only marginalised and decreased cyclists'
numbers [3].

This policy is that the only way to promote cycling in Ireland is by
building more cycle tracks, the theory being that cycling on a cycle
track must be safer then cycling on the roadway.

Many international research studies [4] have found that by using cycle
tracks, the likelihood of a cyclist/motor vehicle collision are
substantially increased when cyclists rejoin the roadway or by
motor vehicles turning into the path of cyclists. These studies are
being ignored by current policy.

The current standards in cycle infrastructure design [5], construction
and maintenance provided in Ireland are extremely low, possibly verging
on the negligent.

Off-roadway cycle tracks are beset with hazards to cyclists. They
routinely have undulating surfaces due to crossing driveways,
inappropriate location of street furniture, rubbish placed for
collection, sudden endings, sudden sharp turns, loss of right-of-way at
side roads. All this on top of the failure to enforce parking
legislation, remove debris or repair the surfaces.

On-roadway cycle lanes fare no better, enduring many of the problems
listed above. With cyclists forced to the extreme left of already
narrow traffic lanes where road surfaces are the worst, operate only for
a limited period of time, or direct cyclists into unsafe positions at
junctions and roundabouts.

Existing and future cycle tracks should be evaluated as whole routes
with standards based on safety, priority, directness and comfort. All
substandard cycle tracks should be removed. [6]

Some examples of good cycle infrastructure include, off-roadway cycle
track routes which provide a shorter route then using the roadway, over
or under passes which bypass complex junctions and cycle lanes which
allow cyclists to bypass congested traffic safely.

Current road traffic legislation only compounds the problems faced by
cyclists. Cyclists are required to use a cycle track when provided [7],
even when they are manifestly unsafe.

This mandatory use restriction puts inexperienced cyclists in danger due
to the false sense of security they have about the safety of the cycle
track or lane they use, and removes the choice from experienced cyclists
to pick their own safe road position.

Legislation excludes motor vehicles from driving or parking on some
cycle tracks and lanes, though motorist compliance is poor and
enforcement is nonexistent. With the design of some traffic lanes being
so narrow that the only way to use them is to also drive on the cycle
lane.

Many motorists comment about the bad cycling habits of some cyclists
who break red lights and cycle without proper lights. These are only
further examples of the inadequate enforcement, which has allowed
inappropriate speeding and dangerous driving to kill hundreds of people
year on year [8].

The public road is for all road users.

Making the the public road safer for all road users will not be
accomplished by restricting cyclists from using the roadway, but by
improved cyclist and motorist education, improved enforcement of
legislation and new approaches to transportation policy.

I urgently request that the Oireachtas Committee of Public Accounts
review the public money which has been wasted on unsafe cycle tracks and
the Oireachtas Committee on Transport to review all aspects of the
current and future policy on cycling in Ireland, an audit of the
existing infrastructure is clearly not enough.


[1] Vélo-City 2005 Dublin Website, http://www.velo-city2005.com/
[2] Programme for Government 2002
[3] 48% Decrease in persons using a bicycle between 1996 and 2002,
Central Statistics Office
[4] John Franklin, Research Summary,
http://www.lesberries.co.uk/cycling/infra/infra.html
[5] DTO, Cycle Track Design Guidelines Manual, 1997
[6] Dublin Cycling Campaign, Infrastructure Position Document
[7] Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations,
1998
[8] Garda Collision Statistics,
http://www.garda.ie/angarda/statistics98/nroadstats.html

ENDs


(This document is personal opinion and does not necessarily represent
the opinion of any other group or person.)


About the Author:

Robert Fitzsimons has been regularly commuting by bicycle for work and
pleasure on Dublin's roads for a number of years. In recent years he
has joined Dublin Cycling Campaign and has become more aware of the
issues facing Irish cyclists. As part of his membership to DCC he has
had the opportunity to represent Dublins cyclists on the Dublin
Transportation Office Cycle Forum and the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County
Council Transportation Policy Committee. Robert is looking forward to
and will be attending Vélo-City as a delegate.


Robert Fitzsimons
26 Blackthorn Green
Sandyford
Dublin 16
Ireland
+353 87 7930467
robfitz@273k.net
http://273k.net/


CC: DoT, DTO, Dublin's Council's, CoPA, CoT, ECF, News Media

cyclopath2001

From the Irish Independent:

The head of the Dublin Transport Office has welcomed the Transport Minister Martin Cullen's commitment to make Dublin city centre more pedestrian and bike-friendly.

Mr. Cullen said he was committed to pushing traffic out of the city centre in future at the Velo-City Conference today.

However, the head of the DTO John Henry said more work is needed improve facilities for cyclists in the city:

'I must say I appreciated his commitment to the bicycle and the development of the bicycle as a mode of transport.'

'What he is talking about in the city centre we have to make it safer and easier and more friendly for people to walk and cycle in the city centre.'

'We have done an awful lot of work in the last say, three or four years by building 300-kilometres of cycle track.'

'Its a bit disconnected at the moment and I'd like to kind of re-focus ourselves, start as the Minister has said in the city centre, get that sorted out and then work our way outwards.''

300kms of 'cycle track'? Where?

Disconnected alright.......from reality.