Passage West to Rochestown Greenway: The greenway has been a huge success; too much so according to some. And now concerns have been raised about speeding cyclists and the dangers they pose to everyone else on the Passage West to Rochestown Greenway.
Passage West to Rochestown Greenway 'too popular'
Local councillors in Co Cork have expressed their concern that speeding cyclists pose a safety hazard on the Passage West to Rochestown Greenway.
And now more ‘code of conduct’ signs to calm the situation are to be installed. The greenway will also be widened in a number of locations, from three metres to four.
It is hoped the wider sections will enable cyclists and those walking to pass each other more safely.
The greenway has been a huge success, and some councillors said the concerns being expressed were as a direct result of its runaway popularity.
Advertisement
Cllr Seamus McGrath (FF) told a meeting of Ballincollig-Carrigaline Municipal District Council he was worried about the situation.
He outlined an accident two weeks ago that resulted in a woman out walking being hospitalised.
“There was a serious incident where a lady was hit by a cyclist in a terrifying incident,” he told the meeting.
Related News
“An ambulance was called and the lady took a bad fall. The code of conduct and signage needs to be adequate to inform people of how to use it.”
Cllr Michael Murphy (SF) said cyclists were “flying” down the greenway. He feared serious accidents and said road markings should also be considered.
Cllr Marcia D’Alton (Ind) said a “keep left and pass right” code could be introduced to enhance safety.
Cllr John A Collins (FG) believed educating greenway users was the key to enhancing safety.
“If we try to widen it, what we are trying to do is retrofit an amenity that was not envisaged to be used for this purpose,” he said.
“The threat is always there for someone to take a fall, especially with people out using earphones and headphones.”
According to Cllr Daithi Ó Donnabháin (FF), speeding cyclists were a real problem when he had recently walked the greenway.
County engineer Madeleine Healy said some of the problems being outlined resulted from the greenway’s success.
And before the first code of conduct signs were installed there had been more accidents.
The additional signage, the meeting was informed, was required on the section closest to the outskirts of Cork City, which was under the remit of Cork City Council.
The greenway’s development was aided with a Smarter Travel Grant from the Department of Transport.
- Photos are generic greenway cycling photos.
Topics
