A cycle-friendly society

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Creating a cycle-friendly society requires a wide range of different measures.  Physical infrastructure and law enforcement (covered in the infrastructure position document) is part of this, but may often not

be the most effective or important.  Dublin Cycling Campaign is working for the full range of tools to be recognised and used by policy-makers.

Education and legal changes

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Ignorance of the law, especially as it pertains to cyclists, is a major problem on Irish roads. Many, perhaps most, motorists are ignorant of the rights and needs of cyclists and their place on the road.  The ``Rules of the Road'' booklet, which is the only guide to traffic law most people ever see,

is hopelessly out of date and inadequate.  The situation is exacerbated by laws discriminating against cyclists, such as the mandatory use of cycle tracks and cycleways, while dangerous driving goes unpunished.  Many cyclists are also ignorant of the law and lack basic bike handling and traffic skills.

* Cycle training should be part of the basic education.  The training must include training in traffic skills.  Barriers against children cycling to school should be removed.

* Adult cycle training courses should be supported by the state.

* Knowledge of the rights and needs of cyclists must be a requirement for obtaining a driving licence.  Defensive driving must be central to driver training and testing.

* The ``Rules of the Road'' booklet must be revised and brought up to date.

* Ireland should introduce a ``hierarchy of care'' similar to that in Scandinavia, Germany and the Netherlands, giving motorists a greater legal responsibility for the safety of vulnerable road users.

Financial incentives and planning

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Currently, people are often rewarded, directly or indirectly, for using their car rather than bike, bus or feet.  Large areas of valuable land are set aside for car parking, which is often free of charge.  Local authorities have provided very many bike parking stands in recent years, but there is often little or no bicycle parking at shopping centres and work places where it is most needed.  You can claim mileage for using a car in connection with work, but no tax deduction or refunds for cycling, although cyclists benefit the economy through reduced congestion, health and environment costs.

* There should be a tax credit for cycling to and at work as a recognition of the benefits to the economy.

* The planning regulations requiring bicycle parking in all new developments must be fully implemented.  Incentives should be given to encourage companies and institutions to install bicycle

  parking at their existing premises.

* All bicycle parking must fulfil minimum requirements: It must be possible to lock the frame to the stand, it should not damage the bicycle, must be secured to the ground and be in a safe, well lit

  and convenient location.

* Other facilities of use to cyclists, such as showers and changing rooms, should be encouraged in new and existing developments.  In any new, publicly funded development this should

  be the norm.

* Car parking should no longer be subsidised - the full costs of car parking should be paid.

* A congestion charge should be brought in for cars entering the canal ring: London has seen a 23% year on year increase in cycling after the congestion charge was brought in.

* Planning laws should be used to discourage new car-based developments and residential schemes, in particular out-of-town developments.  Preference should be given to developments that integrate residential, work, school, shopping and social functions, thus encouraging walking and cycling.

Multimodal transport

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The combination of bicycle and public transport can work to the

benefit of both, by increasing the range of the bicycle and making

public transport more accessible, thus reducing the need for the car,

and also providing more flexibility.  Such multimodal transport should

be encouraged:

* Bicycle carriage on buses and trains should be facilitated.

  Bicycles should be allowed on the DART outside peak hours.

* There must be safe and clearly signposted access routes for

  bicycles to all train stations, airports and ports.

* Secure long-term and convenient short-term bicycle parking must

  be provided at major transport interchanges.

* Establishment of bicycle hire at train and bus stations should

  be encouraged.

* No discrimination against bicycles on ferries.  ``Car package''

  deals must be available to bicycle users on at least equal terms.

  Ferry companies should not be allowed to ban bicycles on their

  vessels as some now do.

Promotion

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Promotion campaigns can have a real impact in creating a

cycle-friendly society.  In designing promotion initiatives it is

important to look at examples of successful initiatives

internationally, such as:

* Share the road campaigns

* Individual travel plans - ie, programmes that assist

  individual families or neighbourhoods in actively assessing and

  planning their transport needs and options.

* Promotion efforts focusing on health benefits of active

  transport.  Department of Health must take a lead role.

* Focus on positive aspects of cycling: freedom, the fastest way

  of getting around, social, no fuel costs.  We hear far too much

  about the negatives!