1.
Delivering Dublin’s Cycle Network

2.
Agenda
● Why do we need to build a network of cycle routes?
● What is a cycle network?
● What progress have we made?
● What is the process for building new cycle infrastructure?
● What is delaying new cycle infrastructure?
● How can we can we speed up delivery?

3.
Why do we need to build a cycle network?

4.
“Our vision for Dublin is a vibrant,
liveable city where everyone can enjoy
everyday walking and cycling”
Dublin Cycling Campaign’s Vision

5.
The three things people need to cycle
1. Access to a suitable cycle
2. The appropriate knowledge to cycle
3. A cycle route suitable for their needs
Why people travel the way they do is
a deeply personal choice based on a
huge number of criteria

6.
Four types of ‘cyclists’
Source: Dr Jennifer Dill, Professor Urban Studies & Planning, Portland State University, Oregon USA

7.
Strong and fearless 4-7%

8.
Enthused and confident 5-9%

9.
Interested but concerned 50-60%

10.
Interested but concerned 50-60%

11.
Reasons why Dubliners do not cycle or cycle less often
Source: Bike Life 2019; National Transport Authority

12.
Proportion of Dubliners in different demographic groups who
cycle at least once a week
Source: Bike Life 2019; National Transport Authority

13.
We need a network of
cycle routes that are
suitable for everyone of
all ages and abilities

14.
What is a cycle network?

15.
What is a cycle network?
Sections

16.
What is a cycle network?
Sections Intersections

17.
What is a cycle network?
Sections Intersections
Route

18.
What is a cycle network?
Sections Intersections
Route
Network

19.
235km
Primary Routes
383km
Secondary Routes
434km
Feeder Routes
200km
Greenway

20.
Progress?

21.
84/818 km
~10%
Source: Bike Life 2019; National Transport Authority

22.
Cycling projects delivered last 7 years

23.
Kilometres of cycle in delivered last 7 years

24.
It will take
280 years to build
Dublin’s cycle network
at 2014-2019 pace

25.
It will take
25 years to build
Dublin’s cycle network
at 2020 pace

26.
Projects in development

27.
Existing

28.
Under
Construction

29.
Approved
Projects

30.
BusConnects

31.
Early Stages

32.
Potential
Future

33.
Chicken and egg problem for cycling

34.
“Cycling is a niche activity for a small
subsection of the population. Investing in
cycling won’t make a meaningful contribution
to Ireland’s transport problems”
– Too Many Key Decision Makers in Ireland

35.
“Seeing is believing”

36.
“Seeing is believing
but feeling is truth”

37.
How does cycle infrastructure get built?

38.
Engineers, architects,
transport planners,
communications
staff
Money needed to
design, build and
maintain a project
Key stakeholders are
bought in on the need
for change

39.
Cycle of
Change
Enable
People
Cycling
Positive feedback loop if
more people START
cycling because of...
● Building safe cycle
routes
● Easier access to
cycles
● Seeing ‘more people
like me’ cycling
● Learnt necessary
knowledge and skills
Negative feedback loop if
more people QUIT cycling
because of...
● Experience road
danger / abuse
● Apathetic Garda
response
● Stolen cycle
● Changing life
circumstances

40.
National Agencies Local Authorities

41.
Development Stages
1. Concept Design
2. Preliminary Design
3. Statutory Approval Process
4. Detailed Design
5. Procurement
6. Construction

42.
Planning Permission for Cycle Infrastructure
● Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994
● Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001
● Planning Act 2000 & Roads Act 1993
● Private developments via Planning and Development Act 2000

43.
Section 38
● Can be used to provide “traffic calming measures” including cycle lanes
● Conditions:
○ Council can change existing roads
○ No road widening. Must stay within existing boundaries
● Only needs the council officials approval
● Approval period: 2-8 weeks

44.
Lombard Street

45.
Grangegorman Road Lower

46.
Interim Liffey Cycle Route

47.
Benildus Avenue

48.
Coastal Mobility Route

49.
Part 8
● Council advertises project. The public can make submissions.
● Councillors vote to approve or reject the project
● Any compulsory purchase orders need to be approved by An Bord
Pleanála
● Requires a proper planning application (3-9 months preparation)
● Approval process (4 months)

50.
Bawnogue, Clondalkin

51.
Royal Canal Greenway Phase 2

52.
Dodder Bridge, Tallaght

53.
Projects that need An Bord Pleanála approval
● Various sections of the Planning Act 2000 and Roads Act 1993
● Need an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
○ Large-scale construction projects
○ Projects with potentially significant environmental impacts
● Preparing an application takes 12-24 months
● An Bord Pleanála decision takes 9-18 months

54.
Baldoyle Greenway

55.
Private Developments
● Private developer upgrades existing public road beside development
● Delivery local cycle network within developments
● Quality varies dramatically
● Can be small but significant contribution

56.
Example Projects

57.
Clontarf to City Centre
2.7km project from Alfie Byrne Road to Talbot Street via North Strand Road
● Original Part 8 2014
● Second Part 8 September 2017
● Tenders December 2020
● Construction Q3 2021
● Completed Q1 2023
9 YEARS!

58.
Clontarf to City Centre Delays
● Novel design elements (junctions, bus stops, kerbs)
● Scope creep
● Major utility changes
● Irish Water not wanting to pay for water main upgrades
● Growing cost estimates and multiple business cases
● Backseat driving from National Transport Authority
● Huge number of community stakeholders
● Old coal cellars under the road

59.
Clontarf to City Centre Timeline Slippage
When Timeline Announced Construction Date Completed Date
September 2019 Q1 2020 Q4 2021
November 2019 Q2 2020 +3 months Q2 2022 +6 months
February 2020 Q3 2020 +6 months Q3 2022 +9 months
June 2020 Q1 2021 +12 months
November 2020 Q3 2021 +18 months Q1 2023 +15 months

60.
Royal Canal Greenway Phase 2

61.
Royal Canal Greenway Phase 2
Approved in December 2015
Opened in July 2020
Delay Reasons:
● Liaising with Irish Rail and Waterways Ireland
● Potential conflicts with DART+ Programme
● Council staff re-assigned to other projects (Luas Cross City)
● No funding available to build the project (~€8M)

62.
Sandymount to Blackrock
Published October 2016
Abandoned April 2018
Cancellation Reasons:
● Complaints over new road bridge
● Complaints over compulsory purchases
● Complaints over making Seapoint Avenue one-way
● Only handful of 680 submissions supportive

63.
Latest Plans of Action

64.
Cycling Implementation Plan 2020 - 2024
● Written in 2019
● Approved by the NTA’s board in December 2019
● Never published

65.
Cycling Implementation Plan 2020 - 2024
● Protected Cycle Track Projects: 110km
● BusConnects Dublin: 50km
● Average: 32km/year

66.
Dublin City Council Plans
“The Programme for Government envisages funding for cycling and walking
projects of €360 million a year for the next five years.”
“The project team has drawn from lessons learned on how cycle projects have
been delivered up to now; what has worked and what has not; and how delivery
can be speeded up“
Plan for 2021-2025 increases from 54 kilometres to 150-200 kilometres
Source: Report 278/2020; Dublin City Council

67.
Dublin City Council Tiers
Tier 4: Major multi-sectoral projects
Tier 2: Minor complexity projects
Tier 3: Major complexity projects
Tier 1: Trials, bollards and wands
Section 38 of the
Road Traffic Act
Part 8 or ABP
Approval Required
}
}

68.
Cycle South Dublin

69.
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

70.
Fingal County Council

71.
How do we speed up delivery?

72.
Cycle of
Change
Enable
People
Cycling
Positive feedback loop if
people START cycling
Negative feedback loop if
people QUIT cycling

73.
Grangegorman Road Lower

74.
Constitution Hill

75.
Interim Liffey Cycle Route

76.
Coastal Mobility Route

77.
Liffey Cycle Route

78.
Reallocating
existing road space is a
political problem
not an engineering problem

79.
How can you help?

80.
How you can help...
● Join Dublin Cycling Campaign
● Engage and be supportive in public consultations
● Talk to your local politicians
● Encourage family, friends and co-workers to start cycling
● Talk to your neighbours
● Volunteer with Dublin Cycling Campaign