Foreign visitors shocked at conditions for cycling in Dublin | Sticky Bottle

Overseas visitors came to Dublin for a cycling conference and many were shocked when they took to the roads to cycling around the city.

The international Velo City cycling conference has concluded in Dublin today, with presentations from delegates about international best practice in cycling the order of the day.

Some of the delegates came by plane or ferry with their bikes and cycled into the city centre for the conference in the Dublin Convention Centre.

Others took to Dublin's streets in between conference sessions to sample what cycling is like in the capital.

While the conference itself was successful and well-supported, many of the comments from the visitors about cycling conditions in Dublin were not favourable.

All kinds of infrastructure - from orcas to flexi wands and painted on cycle lanes - were quickly put in place or freshened up in the weeks before the conference.

But the foreign visitors saw past that last minute best-foot-forward approach and went straight to the point, as these social media posts below reveal.

Dublin’s fair city has streets broad and narrow. Mostly broad, actually. But they’re choked with HGVs, coaches and lots of single-occupancy cars. #vc19 experts like @KlausBondam should be heeded. Sort it, Dublin! pic.twitter.com/K9FyuS365B

— Carlton Reid (@carltonreid) June 28, 2019

I'm sad to say that pedestrians in #Dublin do not have any priority when cars are turning right or left. In this case, to enter a parking lot. And crossing paths don't exist at all... I'm still doubting whether I'm brave enough to #cycleDublin #VC19 pic.twitter.com/GcpUtsFaF0

— Sílvia Casorrán (@silviacasorran) June 26, 2019

Cycled in 30+ cities, mostly in in Europe. Dublin definitely the worst for safe cycle provision. Even the best protected path along the banks of the River Liffey spits you out at random intervals into oncoming traffic

— Brian Salmon (@flyingking2) June 24, 2019

Left, "a cyclist" in #Ireland; right, in #Belgium.
In Ireland cycling seems reduced to safety and protection: danger.
Not surprisingly 46% of people <30yr have a negative image of cycling!
If you use only the left images, you attract only the left cyclists#VC19 @dublincycling pic.twitter.com/thnUIcjbbO

— Mikaël Van Eeckhoudt (@mikaelvaneeck) June 26, 2019

#survived 😰
returned @JustEatIE #bike after wild return ride from st.anna park #dublin.#VC19 #bikeparade #CyclingfortheAges @VelocitySeries @DublinVelo2019 @dublincycling pic.twitter.com/I2VNu4XI8c

— Martin Loidl (@gicycle_) June 26, 2019

First impressions of #Dublin: the omnipresence of begging buttons for pedestrians. Even at crowded crossroads, like in this video.
The underlying message is that car traffic systematically has priority. This is not OK in a city for people.@dublincycling #vc19 pic.twitter.com/nYCMioX1DR

— Mikaël Van Eeckhoudt (@mikaelvaneeck) June 24, 2019

I have personally no idea whether I’ve been diplomatic or not. I know that I haven’t been rude. But the physical absence of Dublin and Irish high level politicians except at photo opp’s has been noticed. Several other European mayors have attended for several days. 👎 #VC19

— Klaus Bondam (@KlausBondam) June 27, 2019

I am smiling here, but cycling in #Dublin actually isn't that much fun. It's dangerous and in poor conditions. Velo-City conference is a great opportunity for the city to get inspiration for improvements. They are a lovely host and I hope Dublin will improve cycling!
#vc19 pic.twitter.com/nwwbZAsiyt

— Saskia Zwiers (@sassefras88) June 26, 2019

Lara Gillespie attacks Dolomite stage as Giro hits high mountains

Video - Ireland's Meehan climbs with best on brutal Alpine terrain

A perfect illustration of "swimming with sharks 🦈" #VC19 #cycledublin pic.twitter.com/34anaDAnKp

— Weelz! Le média vélo Leader de Pignon (@WeelzFr) June 25, 2019

A good number of the #VC19 delegates braved the actual roads that people in Dublin have to endure - literally shitty, painted paths at best. @IBIKEDublin pic.twitter.com/dXlWS3abKL

— alan 🦋 (@r0thar) June 27, 2019

Dublin disappoints: what happened to city cycling's great hope? ⁦@Lakerlikes⁩ kicks off our @GuardianCities #VC19 coverage https://t.co/VjbDbddH1e

— Nick Van Mead (@nickvanmead) June 25, 2019

"I have seen a lot of fit young men on bikes, in lycra and fluo and wearing helmets. I have not seen the infrastructure that makes other people, like me, feel safe in Dublin. So get your things done #dublin" says @KlausBondam during #VC19 @dublincycling @DublinCity pic.twitter.com/ym7aD9GH5X

— Mikaël Van Eeckhoudt (@mikaelvaneeck) June 25, 2019

International delegates at @DublinVelo2019 are clearly shocked at cycling conditions in our city. They ask how can our political system tolerate such poor transport design, which discourages all but the very brave to cycle. #VC19 #Cyclingfortheages #Dublin pic.twitter.com/lSBSZGL6EM

— Eamon Ryan (@EamonRyan) June 25, 2019

First impressions of Dublin. Wide footpaths, bad cycle lanes. A lot like Perth, yet many more people are riding. #VC19 pic.twitter.com/hkKAHg7VZ4

— Tim Burns (@perthbiker) June 25, 2019

J'ai profité de ma dernière matinée sur Dublin ☘️ pour faire quelques images de bike commuters. Assez incroyable le nombre de cyclistes vu la faible qualité des infras et le chaos que provoquent les voitures et le nombre impressionnant de bus dans la ville#vc19 #cycledublin pic.twitter.com/TdqLrY5nED

— Weelz! Le média vélo Leader de Pignon (@WeelzFr) June 27, 2019

We've just arrived. Chaotic trafic. pic.twitter.com/T1uUfCGhKr

— Simon Fessard (@SimonFessard) June 24, 2019

every city has its #cycling culture.
in #dublin you can experience some kind of 'darwinian cycling'#VC19 @DublinVelo2019 @dublincycling pic.twitter.com/S3hxfeozZR

— Martin Loidl (@gicycle_) June 27, 2019

I have been so privileged to spend the week with amazing students from Denmark, Spain, Ireland and Lithuania. They have such insights into how our cities should work. The best part has been immersing them in the forests of the Phoenix park @GreenSchoolsIre #VC19 @phoenixparkopw pic.twitter.com/0NvsxcQQPp

— Jane Hackett (@JChiclett) June 28, 2019

2/3 We took part in the #VC19 cycle which was both amazing and terrifying. The Danish students cannot understand how there no space for cyclists or walkers. @GreenSchoolsIre pic.twitter.com/8HqPrbBjoo

— Jane Hackett (@JChiclett) June 28, 2019

3/3 the students have commented on how beautiful and exciting our city is but how aggressive and scary drivers are. We have been shouted at, beeped at and abused as we cycled and walked through the city. @GreenSchoolsIre #VC19 @Failte_Ireland pic.twitter.com/BZQYMQirm4

— Jane Hackett (@JChiclett) June 28, 2019