The proposal for interim cycle safety measures along the Liffey Quays was approved, with cross-party support, by councillors at last Monday’s Dublin City Council meeting in City Hall. The detailed design of the temporary measures was also referred to the council’s Transport Committee, which will hold a special meeting on the issue next week.

The approval by councillors paves the way for council authorities to begin installing the temporary cycling measures, which will comprise of bollards, lane markings, signage, light sequence adjustments, and the removal of on-street parking along some sections of the Quays.

Dublin Cycling Campaign sits on the council’s Transport Committee and we will seek improvements and assurances from the council on the specific details of the proposed interim measures. These issues include, but aren’t limited to:

• The protection of cyclists at junctions and bus stops.
• Advance green lights for cyclists.
• Addressing the “gaps” in the route, especially on the South Quays.
• Addressing the lack of enforcement of bus lanes, especially during rush hour.

The interim measures are not a replacement for the permanent Liffey Cycle Route, which is continuing to go through the planning and design process. These measures are an attempt to better protect the thousands of people who currently cycle up and down the quays every week.

Calls for temporary measures along the Liffey Quays had intensified after it was revealed that the permanent Liffey Cycle Route would not be implemented until at least 2024. In January over 250 people attended the latest in a series of protests which the Dublin Cycling Campaign has organised in support of the Liffey Cycle Route. An online petition in support of a trial cycle route received more than 4,000 signatures.