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We meet from time to time – in the Strand Hotel (north end of Sarsfield Bridge), at 6-30 p.m.
All welcome
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13th Jan 2010: Full minutes see http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ATmD6gGbyJ6YZGNtdGY3cjJfMmRmc2RqZGdy&hl=en; for a summary see below:
Wednesday’s meeting discussed the division of the Limerick group’s reading and commenting on the national cycle policy documents.
Bike parking facilities and policy was also discussed, especially with respect to issues with current parking arrangements and the lack of secure overnight parking anywhere, especially at train stations for example.
The Limerick City Council is holding a stakeholder meeting looking for suggested infrastructural changes for the city:
Locations to recommend for bike parks in Limerick as well as positive comments on the sheltered parking in the Crescent Shopping Centre were noted.
Driving education was reckoned to be one of the most important things to change regarding making cycling easier in urban Limerick.
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2nd Dec 2009:
City-Plassey Route, on–road route; the document considering routes from the city centre to Plassey/UL has progressed. The Rhebogue Road is being considered as an alternative to the Dublin Road to make a complete on-road cycle route from city to UL. Key points of discussion were the cycle paths/lanes from UL to the Groody roundabout (whether there was justification to call for a bidirectional path from the UL gates to Groody), and the junction and lanes on Old Dublin Road (whether to retain as bidirectional path or to become unidirectional cycle lanes). Both of these schemes have positives and negatives.
City-Plassey Routes, off-road route: Whilst the report will note possible improvements to this route, it will stress that the on-road route is the priority for Limerick Cycling.
Other factors: Other factors for consideration were discussed including: signage, design speed, surface quality and upkeep, lighting.
City mapping project: A first-pass at a high-level mapping of the city’s roads from the perspective of the cyclist (and routes to avoid) is almost complete.
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4th Nov 2009
Two main items were discussed:
1. Mapping cycling conditions in Limerick city.
This project is looking at grading the current conditions of Limerick’s roads and streets for cyclists. The map will colour code Limerick’s highways three ways:
- Green – Safe (or at least you’d be happy to cycle there with children). A car-free, or at least car-limited route.
- Yellow – Standard roads. There will be car-traffic around, but no undue levels or risk.
- Blue – Heavy car-traffic, somewhat dangerous.
Particular and significant hazards will be marked in Red (e.g. major roundabouts, forced lane changes in car-traffic).
It is hoped that the map will be able to inform cyclists and policy makers alike.
2. Picture and writing project (snappy title huh!)
The city council are interested in current cycle provision between the city centre and UL/Castletroy Technology Park. Therefore more in depth recording of the possible routes between these areas is being done (e.g. the start of the canal cycle route in the city below).
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25 Feb 2009:
In attendance were Robert Drohan, Brendan Halpin, Lawrence Cleary, Cormac Eason and James Nix.
A number of positions were filled in order to further the objectives of Limerick Cycling, (1) to improve conditions for cyclists in Limerick city and county and (2) grow our numbers in order to exert greater pressure. Robert Drohan became secretary, Brendan Halpin took responsibility for web presence, Lawrence Cleary took on policy officer and Cormac Eason will deliver quick responses to online contributions.
Brendan plans to attend the cyclist.ie meeting in Dublin on 28th Feb.
A list of areas and road designs in Limerick which present a danger to cyclists was compiled.
It was agreed that Limerick Cycling will write to both Limerick councils presenting these issues and describing what needs to be re-designed. The macro point to be made is that road design which is safe for cycling is more important than dedicated cycling infrastructure. This accords with the latest research, including Cyclecraft written by John Franklin.
