Sir, – In reference to "Narrow roads and bad weather cited as reasons why people in Galway don't cycle" (News, February 15th), a lack of safe cycling infrastructure is the reason why many people don't cycle in Galway. They want to. Three separate school cycle-buses are in operation around the city. The effort and dedication of parents and volunteers to make cycling to school safe where no infrastructure exists are enormous. The appetite is huge and yet Galway City Council has not rolled out a single inch of new, segregated, protected cycleway since at least 2015.
In a climate crisis, it is a city totally beholden to cars.
The more pertinent question to have asked is not why people in Galway don’t cycle, it’s what do Galway City Council executive and the bulk of councillors have against people on bikes. Because while they might protest, their action, or lack thereof, tells us everything we need to know. – Yours, etc,
GRÁINNE FALLER,
Salthill,
Galway.
Sir, – The whole of Government is caught up in a groupthink mentality that pumps money at schemes to make things difficult for those depending on a car.
Here in Lucan, a public consultation leaves out a proposed cycleway and a one-way system to be introduced on a so-called trial basis. “Destination Town” is another phrase for walking and cycling apparently, and that’s the rationale for this cycleway through the main street of Lucan village.
Throw money at it and get rid of parking spaces – and that solves climate change? This is just plain rubbish and it seems that the whole political system is caught up in this callous stupidity.
If South Dublin County Council wants a fake village, it needs to build it somewhere else and leave Lucan alone. I suggest Tír na nÓg, where everyone can walk and cycle, and where nobody needs a doctor or a dentist! – Yours, etc,
CAITRÍONA McCLEAN,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.