Cycling News

Queries raised about Irish junction designs

Shane Foran, Safety Officer Galway Cycling Campaign -Feachtas Rothaiochta na Gaillimhe c/o Galway One World Centre, William St. West, Galway.

Released 22nd May 2001

The Galway Cycling Campaign have released an information sheet on the implications of Irish junction design practices for road safety. "The idea is to inform the public about the most common types of junction collisions, so that road users can identify problem locations and take appropriate action." Says Shane Foran GCC safety officer. The cyclists are focussed on collisions between cars and cyclists but the issues raised apply to other collisions. A comparison of UK and Irish design guidance has thrown up concerns regarding longstanding Irish practice. In the UK excessive visibility at priority intersections has been identified as being associated with common types of car/cycle and car/car collision, possibly due to excessive speeds by entering drivers. UK design guidance consequently specifies minimum and maximum visibility parameters at intersections, in contrast Irish design guidance specifies only minimum values and appears to favour the use of longer sightlines at junctions.

Concerns have also arisen about the kerb radii, (curvatures) being applied on Irish roads. "The indiscriminate use of large kerb radii on urban roads is adding to the general hostility of the roads environment for cyclists, pedestrians and other road users." The cyclists feel that all road designs used in urban areas should be appropriate to the mix of traffic and the function of the road. "We cannot understand why large kerb radii of 6-10m are being used in residential areas where the only large vehicles are bin lorries moving at walking pace once a week" say the cyclists.

The research has shown that for cyclists the biggest danger at side roads is being hit by entering motorists. The advice for cyclists is that they should try to adopt a prominent lane position passing side roads, however they should be prudent at night and on faster roads. "Cyclists should not assume they will be seen unless they are also positioned where the motorists are looking" advises Mr. Foran. The cyclists are also cautioned that if they choose to use cycle lanes and/or overtake on the left that they put themselves at increased risk of junction collisions. "In congested conditions you should try to resist the impulse to overtake on the inside at junctions. You can end up "appearing out of nowhere" in front of other drivers, a bit of patience goes a long way in city traffic".

The cyclists' spokesperson also pointed out that they first raised these issues with both the local and the national authorities in mid 1998. "Unfortunately we have yet to receive any response from Galway Corporation, the National Roads Authority or the Department of the Environment."