| Dear Heather, We have an info-packed newsletter with events happening all over Ireland. We are particularly excited about the Irish premiere (in Waterford) of the film 'Why We Cycle' and we hope to be able to air it in Dublin soon.
At the moment of sending this newsletter, we'll be one day away from the Road Traffic Bill being considered at the Dáil, so if you haven't contacted your local TD yet, ask them to support the Minimum Passing Distance Law. We will be following the debate so stay tuned for updates!
You have probably run into human bollards protecting cycle lanes around different points of Dublin at rush hour. Well, we would like to invite you to our February meeting and hear from members of I BIKE Dublin, about how they came together and try to use creative direct-action initiatives to apply pressure on decision makers. All ideas and questions will be welcomed! See you at the Central Hotel next Monday February 12th at 8pm. Happy Cycling!
Dublin Cycling Campaign | | | 
'Why we Cycle' Irish premiere
Thu 8th Feb, Waterford Hurray! Waterford Cycling Campaign, one of the founder members of Cyclist.ie back in 2008, is being rejuvenated this week at the Irish premiere of 'Why we cycle'. This documentary explores the wonderful everyday cycling culture of The Netherlands. It all happens at 7pm this Thursday night, 8th February, in Greyfriars Municipal Art Gallery in Waterford. Find all the details here and spread the word to your friends in the south east! | | 
Update on Luas Track Cycling Issues Progress is being made on solutions to the current difficulties around the new Luas tracks.
Dublin Cycling Campaign has recently met with representatives of the National Transport Authority (NTA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), and Dublin City Council (DCC) to discuss the ongoing problems that the new Luas tracks are causing for people on bikes, especially in the city centre, and the urgent need for solutions to these problems.
Among the topics discussed were: the "Cyclists Dismount" Signs at College Green and Dawson St, Track Inserts and other Engineering Solutions, Alternative Cycling Routes, Driver Behaviour, Lack of Bicycle Parking, Lack of Accurate Data on Cycling Crashes, and General Cycling Access to Luas Tracks.
Here's the link to the full article on our website. Dublin Cycling Campaign will be following up on these issues over the coming weeks and months, nd will keep you informed of any new developments. | | 
Quietways for Dublin? A Quietway is a network of traffic-calmed streets and neighbourhoods which link up to provide a safe route across the city for people who walk and cycle. They are particularly useful for enabling children to get to school on foot or by bike.
Quietways can be created by installing a variety of simple traffic-calming measures which remove rat-run traffic from otherwise residential streets.
Last September we spoke with Dublin City Councillor Paddy Smyth about his proposal for a Quietway running through the south of the city. | | 
St Patrick's Day Parade! Similar to past years, and thanks to the great support from Dublin City Council, Dublin Cycling Campaign will be taking part once again in the iconic St Patrick's Day Parade here in Dublin. This year the Parade participation is being coordinated by Donna Cooney, an active campaigner and artist, around the theme of the 100th anniversary of Votes for Women or Vótáil 100!
This great idea will see over 100 women on bikes, the original 'Freedom Machine', parade through the streets of Dublin, letting people know the importance of the humble bicycle in the development of this basic human right! Their costumes will be modelled on the style of dress of 100 years ago. On the topic of cycling and women’s rights, the American civil rights leader, Susan B Anthony, wrote in 1896: 'I think [the bicycle] has done more to emancipate women than any one thing in the world'
We will be issuing invitations closer to the event, and in particular families and children are encouraged to come forward. But, of course, we particularly wish to have women involved.
If you would like to help in any way in making this great idea happen, not contact us at info@dublinycling.ie | | 
Great Southern Trail If you are planning your next greenway trip why not consider the Great Southern Trail (GST), a unique 96km (60 miles) stretch of countryside in West Limerick/North Kerry along the route of the former Limerick - Tralee/Fenit railway line. In County Limerick, approximately 40km of the Great Southern Trail has now been developed for off-road walking and cycling from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale. Bike hire is available in Rathkeale from Pedal Pursuits Bike Hire, who offer a bike drop-off and collection service.
The route makes its way through the West Limerick countryside giving the walker/cyclist the opportunity to stop off in towns and villages along the route including Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West, Templeglantine, and Abbeyfeale.
A voluntary group, the Great Southern Trail Ltd., originally campaigned, developed and managed the Greenway until 2015. For more details contact southerntrail@eircom.net or join their next meeting (see article below) | | 
Great Southern Trail Meeting Leen's Hotel, Abbeyfeale
8pm Thursday 15 February 2018 is scheduled to witness positive developments in both Limerick and Kerry by the local authorities. In Limerick the iconic Barnagh Tunnel is to become directly accessible from the Greenway through the provision of an underpass of the N21 road.
Recently the 10km section from the Limerick Border to Listowel has been cleared of vegetation by Kerry County Council who now own 50km+ of the old North Kerry railways. Further progress on the development of the Listowel section is expected to follow as soon as is feasible. There are also positive signals regarding the extending of the existing Tralee Urban Greenway to Fenit.
The Great Southern Trail Ltd.(GST) and its Friends will continue to be advocates for the Greenway and the meeting in Abbeyfeale will discuss the strategy of support for 2018. The GST is affiliated to the national advocacy body "Cyclist.ie" and also to the European Greenways Association whose Conference was held in Adare in September 2017 where both Limerick City & County Council and the GST were recipients of awards. The GST also arranges visits to Ireland's other railway Greenways with the Great Western route from Westport to Achill in the diary for Bank Holiday Monday 7th May. | | 
Campaign to End ‘Cycle Hatred’
By Jane Dawn Dublin’s streets are filled with tens of thousands of bikes each day, but many motorists aren’t happy. This was most explicitly revealed by comments made by guests on the Late Late Show last month.
The Dublin Cycling Campaign is hoping to improve cycling safety by targeting casual and offensive jokes and have demanded a full apology from RTE (see below) and will continue to campaign for respect for Dublin cyclists.
Find the full article on our website. To make your own individual complaint, send an email to complaints@rte.ie | | 
Late Late Show Complaint Update Dublin Cycling Campaign submitted a complaint to RTE about an ill-informed segment of the Late Late Show which displayed prejudice towards people who cycle. We have just recently received what we feel is an unsatisfactory response from RTE and we are now considering our options about pursuing the complaint with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. | | | 
Safer Cycling Soon on the Way!? The great Campaign spearheaded by Phil Skelton to push for the introduction of a Minimum Passing Distance Law (MPDL), whereby motorists will be obliged to give at least a 1.5m gap when overtaking cyclists on rural roads, and a 1m gap on urban roads, is about to go through debate stages in the Dáil.
All local cycling campaign groups and individual campaigners have contacted TDs throughout the country, seeking commitment to support the Bill. So far, thanks to this great volunteer effort 55 TDs have signed up to support the Bill, and further results are awaited.
In the meantime check out this instructive and amusing little video (in French!) produced by some of our Belgian cycling advocates, to support the MPDL of 1metre in Belgium!
SIMI, the Society of the Motor Industry in Ireland is, perhaps surprisingly, a supporter of the 1.5m [passing distance] campaign. Alan Nolan, their president, has said that 'SIMI is a strong supporter of the 1.5m [passing distance] campaign. It makes sense to ensure that sort of clearance when you are passing a cyclist'.
So, if you haven't already, contact with your local TD or Senator and make sure they support this important amendment to the Road Traffic Bill to make roads safer for cyclists! | | 
The Freedom Machine -
A Worn Tale - Feb 17th & 18th Directed by Elaine Gallagher, "The Freedom Machine" a 30 minute comedy show about cycling will be performed on the 17th and 18th of February at 6.15p.m in Smock Alley Theatre as part of the Scene and Heard festival. The show will explore the history of the bicycle, in particular its role in the women's suffrage movement 100 years ago.
You can check out more info and book your tickets here. | | 
Cycle Parents in Ireland We thought we would share a new Facebook Group spotted, Cycle Parents in Ireland. It is a cycling support group for parents who share a love for the outdoors and who wish to share tips, ideas and events for cycling with little ones in Ireland.
All welcome bearing in mind that respect, safety and support are key | | 
The Great Prime Time Transport Race Three different modes of transport were used to get from Phibsborough to Lesson Street Bridge - A car, a bus and the Luas. The time taken for each was compared with the results being aired on RTE Primetime.
•Each journey commenced at 08:15am on Monday morning
•For a distance of 4.4km, it took 43mins in a car, 58mins by bus and over an hour using the Luas.
•But what if you cycled the same route?
•A member of the Dublin cycling campaign took the challenge on 5-2-2018 and his results are in the image above.
•Analysis done by See.Sense | | 
The Role Of The Irish Police & The Health & Safety Of People Who Want To Cycle The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland held a public meeting in Wood Quay on Monday the 22nd of January.
It was described as a town-hall style event and they were "particularly interested in hearing from organisations which are based in Dublin and work with vulnerable groups or represent community interests, including the business community."
As well as having an opportunity to voice what could be improved or changed, everyone was invited to make a written submission through their website
The Dublin Cycling Campaign's submission is titled "The Role Of The Irish Police & The Health & Safety Of People Who Want To Cycle". It identifies issues regarding Community Safety, Bicycle Security, Accountability, Equality, Understanding The Needs Of Vulnerable Road Users, Supporting Cycling And Improved Quality Of Life, Keeping People Who Cycle Safe From Abuse, and Upholding Laws That Protect People Who Cycle. Click here for the full article on our website.
If you are interested in learning more and getting involved with issues regarding enforcement, there is a new group set up within the Campaign. Aim Group #2 - Improve public policies and law enforcement for the benefit of people who walk and cycle. Please email info@dublincycling.ie to get involved. | | 
Traffic Pressures a Major Factor in Tram Track Cycling Crashes A new study by medical researchers in Edinburgh has given us further insight into the cause and effects of tram track related cycling injuries. The study analysed cyclists who presented to hospitals across Edinburgh and West Lothian with tram related injuries between May 2009 and April 2016. More than half of victims reported that traffic pressures contributed to their crash.
Dublin Cycling Campaign is continuing to liaise with the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Dublin City Council to improve conditions for cyclists around the Luas tracks in the city centre as a matter of urgency. Check out the full story and link to the research on our website. | | 
Join Us! Become a Member – or Even Better an Active Member! The Dublin Cycling Campaign is a completely voluntary group working on behalf of all cyclists in Dublin. The more members we have, the quicker we can transform the city and culture for the better. Join today! As a member, you will receive a Cycling Rewards Card that gives you discounts at over 40 cyclist friendly businesses. Active Members We have an email list where we occasionally send out requests for help with specific jobs or events. If you would like to be added to the list please email us at info@dublincycling.ie and you might let us know if you have a particular skill that might be useful. Being on the list is not an obligation to do work, but you might see something you would like to help out with. | | | |
