Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) manages an area of 127 square kilometres including Dundrum, Glencullen, Stillorgan, Blackrock, Dun Laoghaire and Ballybrack. The Census 2011 figures show that it has the second highest model share for cyclists at 5.1%, which compares with 7.5% in the Dublin City area.

The Dublin Cycling Campaign has a sub-group that monitors cycling related matters in DLRCC, and we also have a representative on the Strategic Planning Committee for Transport in DLRCC. This gives us earlier visibility of developments related to cycling and a much greater voice to promote bicycle friendly transport. If you would like to help out with submissions and other activities in this area contact Keith Byrne at keith@keithbyrne.com.

For 2014 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown has been allocated €3.5m by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants programme.

We are expecting to see a public bike scheme launched in Dun Laoghaire town later this year. This will only in the town and might be made available in a wider area if it proves successful.

The Stillorgan Road to Carysfort road improvements will commence in 2014. We made a submission on this in 2013 and look forward to seeing the designs. It will significantly improve cycling for people of all ages along this route.

A draft Blackrock Local Area Plan (LAP) was put out for public consultation in 2014. We made a submission on it and hope that our key points for cycling are taken on board, such as getting back on the original plan for the Sutton to Sandycove cycle track. We also took the opportunity to highlight the need for a permit system for the use of HGVs in the area, similar to that of Dublin City.

DLR sought public consultation on road improvements for the Frascati Road and Temple Hill in late 2013. We made a submission highlighting that the recently published Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets specifies that Slip Turns be removed as they present an unnecessary hazard for cyclists.

In mid 2013 there was public consultation sought on a Cycling Map for DLRCC. This will be the first cycling focused map produced by a local authority. We are expecting to see this released this year.

For further information keep an eye on the DLRCC cycling page http://www.dlrcoco.ie/aboutus/councildepartments/transportation/findit/c…