City Hall: Safer if cyclists dismount

A Fianna Fáil councillor has called on cyclists to dismount in the recently pedestrianised streets of Cork city.

Cllr Terry Shannon made the call during an online Cork City Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting on Monday when he spoke about his concerns regarding the pedestrianised areas.

He said he had received complaints from people who said that Prince’s Street was “very crowded” and has “very narrow” footpaths.

While he said that the seating area itself is fine and spaced out, the footpaths are narrow and said it’s something that needs to be looked at.

Another issue that he said was brought to his attention was cyclists using the pedestrianised streets, describing them as a “major hazard” on these streets.

“I had one man contact me to tell me he witnessed a young child being knocked down. Should cyclists go up Oliver Plunkett Street? I think the answer is no.”

He said people should dismount off their bikes including those delivering food and those who use public bikes to get around the city.

“We need to have proper signage to display that, and I think there needs to be enforcement. I don’t think this needs to be a them versus us situation,” added Cllr Shannon.

Deputy Chief Executive of Cork City Council Brian Geaney replied: “I expect it won’t look as busy when indoor dining resumes. We are going to commission an accessibility audit for those with mobility issues on the pedestrianised streets and areas where street furniture licenses have been issued. That is something we are going to do over the next few weeks and the purpose of this will be to identify any issues and address them.”

He added: “In terms of cyclists and cycling (on pedestrianised streets), we have said that it is safer for cyclists to dismount. I have seen cyclists dismounting in some areas myself. It’s a common sense approach really that we are looking for from everybody in this regard.”

Meanwhile Chief Superintendent Barry McPolin spoke, at the same meeting, about those who cycle on footpaths: “We’ve a policy of advising people not to cycle on footpaths and it’s only as a last resort that we will go down the enforcement route.

“This seems to be working for the most part since the city reopened up a few weeks ago. We’ve also engaged with the parent companies (like food couriers) for their workers not to cycle on footpaths and the feedback is quite positive in that respect.”