Pictured is Lord Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh with many of the participants of Safe Cycle. Image courtesy of Dublin Bike Week.
Dublin City Council’s Safe Cycle event took place on Wednesday June 15th, 2016 during Dublin City Bike week, that ran from June 11th-19th.
Crowds met at Grand Canal Quay at 12.00pm for a 5km cycle along a planned route through Dublin’s Docklands/Dublin 4 area. The event was planned to set up to showcase Dublin as a cycle-friendly city.
Lord Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh dropped the chequered flag to wave off cyclists for a leisurely cycle that involved people dressing up in fancy dress costume, showing off the non-competitive craic that summed up the event, as a day of fun, safety and for the benefits of cycling in Dublin’s fair city. All bicycles had to be in a roadworthy condition.
Cyclists were assisted by An Garda Síochana who stopped traffic on the route, to minimise risks and hazards. The route took around 20 minutes on average to complete. The Irish Centre for Cycling helped to escort cyclists along the route, where signs were placed to avoid wrong turns and high visibility jackets were freely given for the event. Cyclists were also encouraged to wear helmets. To facilitate this event, it was necessary to suspend all Dublin City Council paid parking spaces on Grand Canal Quay from 7pm the previous day to 7pm on the day itself. Resident Parking permits were honoured.
Críona Ní Dhálaigh speaking at this event welcomed everyone and thanked cyclists for choosing a healthy and environmentally friendly mode of transport.
“I have no doubt you all agree it is an efficient and enjoyable way to travel around our great city. Bi slán ar do rother (be safe on your bike!)”
Participants covered Grand Canal Street, Bath Avenue, Londonbridge Road, Church Avenue, Sean Moore Road, Pigeon House Road, York Road, Thorncastle Street, Bridge street and back again to Grand Canal Quay.
It had been expressly stated that cyclists were responsible for their own safety, subject to the Rules of the Road and all relevant legislation under the Road Traffic Act 2014.
Críona Ní Dhálaigh also stated in promotion of Dublin’s Bike Week that “the number of people cycling in Dublin continues to grow year after year and Dublin City Council’s Safe Cycle event is a great way to promote Dublin City as a cycle friendly city.”
Almost 11,000 people cycle into the city each day. Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority have recorded a huge increase in the popularity of cycling since records began in 1997.
Cyclists registered for the Safe Cycle event on the Bikeweek Safe Cycle Facebook page and have been entered in with a chance to win €300 worth of bike shop vouchers.
Bikes 4 Work have awarded a €50 prize voucher for the “safest cyclists” plus a €50 prize voucher for the “best dressed cyclist.” All of this will be announced and can be followed on Bikeweek.ie or on their page on Facebook.
If you are interested in this event or further events related to Dublin Bike Week, contact Dublin City Council.
By Robert Fullarton
