2009-11-12 Samuel Beckett Bridge

 

 

The Samuel Beckett Bridge across the Liffey in Dublin Docklands was officially opened on 10th of December 2009.

It is a beautiful piece of engineering and urban design.

Page 18 of the National Cycle Policy Framework sets out the Hierarchy of Solutions which designers should consider when designing for cyclists and the order in which they should be considered. The Bridge is an excellent example of the preferred solutions. I'll go through the first four levels of the Hierarchy of Solutions to explain:

Traffic Reduction

  • The HGV ban
  • The Quality Bus Corridor programme of reallocation of general vehicle lanes to bus/cycle lanes
  • Dublin Bikes
  • Cycle-to-Work Scheme
  • Changes to taxation
  • City Centre parking policy

Traffic Calming

  • The introduction of more 30 kmph zones in Dublin City
  • Lane design with narrow lanes and sharp corners which calms traffic.
  • The introduction of speed cameras nationally

Junction Treatment and Traffic Management

  • The City Centre Traffic Management systems
  • The HGV ban and management system
  • The introduction of Automatic Vehicle Location on all Dublin Buses
  • The provision of bus lanes on the Bridge

Redistribution of the Carriageway

  • The redistribution of general vehicle lanes to bus lanes on the bridge.

Unfortunately the design has been let down at the last hurdle. The fifth level of solutions to be considered in the Hierarchy are cycle lanes and Cycle tracks. On this the National Cycle Policy Framework (p18) states:

"In addition, having considered and, where possible implemented all of the above, what cycle tracks or cycle lanes (if any) are necessary in order to make a route cycling friendly?"

Having address the other levels of the Hierarchy in a comprehensive manner are there any specific problems which would require specific cycle tracks? What has occurred is that cycle tracks have been provided everywhere, none of which are actually useable. They do not address any specific problems that might be present and create a whole list of problems. This has been discussed in detail on our other Cyclecrap Blog.

Hopefully Dublin City Council will review what has been built against the Hierarchy of Solutions. Cycle tracks which were not necessary in the first place could be removed. Where cycle lanes might be useful such as a contra-flow cycle lane on the one-way street on Sir John Rogerson's Quay could then be redesigned so that they are safe and useable.