Dublin's Grand Biking Vision That Never Came to Fruition

Laura Laker reports that in 2011 and 2013 Dublin was ranked as one of the top 20 bike-friendly cities in the world, but it has since fallen far short on long-term plans to develop an extensive cycling infrastructure throughout the city. The plan was to have almost 1,500 miles of bike lanes in place and reach a goal of 10 percent of trips made by bike.

Instead, many of the projects have been scaled down or abandoned and few have actually been completed. "Arriving at Dublin Port by ferry and cycling some of the city’s worst roads between huge lorries, tram tracks and lakes of standing water, it is not hard to see why local cyclists are fed up," writes Laker.

The 2013 recession resulted in a significant decrease in funds, and much of the funding that was available went to a new tram, says Laker. Still, city officials say they want to get the plans back on track. "Speaking at the opening of the Velo-City conference, the chief executive of Dublin council, Owen Keegan, admitted his city had not done enough to protect cyclists and promote sustainable transport, but said he hoped investment was coming," notes Laker.