COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, April 23, 2012

MOTION NO.3

MOTION: Councillor D. Looney

That this Committee supports the speedy provision of specific and dedicated cycling routes in Tymon Park and encourages their use in the interests of safety, environmental sustainability and amenity for residents and commuters.

REPORT:

Arising from the changes to the Parks Bye Laws and that were adopted by the Council in  September 2011 it is now permissible to cycle on the paths provided in our public parks and open spaces.  The particular wording in relation to this and contained in the Bye Laws is as follows:

3.5       The use of bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, roller-skates, non motorised  scooters and similar vehicles are permitted subject to careful use and consideration for other Park users. A maximum speed limit of 20kph shall apply to all such vehicles with the exception of areas designated for cycle training and races by prior agreement with the Council.

It is the experience and advice to date that cycling should be accommodated on existing paths and that in effect the paths should be shared between cyclists and pedestrians.  To create dedicated segregated cycle paths for cycling and walking would incur additional and unsustainable expense that is not available to the Council at the present time.  Additionally, it may not also be environmentally sustainable to pave large sections of our parks and open spaces to achieve segregated paths.  The standard recommended width of path for shared cycling and walking is 3.5m.

In the case of Tymon Park it is proposed that when the resources to do so are available to the Council that the paths in the park will be widened to 3.5m to facilitate both enhanced cycling opportunities in the park and also commuter and leisure cycling to and through the park to other destinations.