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Improved cycling
infrastructure to provide safe convenient cycle routes suitable for
people of all ages and abilities,
Linking homes to school,
work, shops, bus and train stations,
Highlighting cycling as a
cheaper, healthier, cleaner alternative to the car.
Here are some issues we've worked on recently:
Progress made on both Titanic and Westlink
Developments
Members of NICI have been
working aggressively with Sustrans and other organizations to improve
cycling facilities in both the Titanic Quarter and Westlink
developments.
Titanic Quarter provides
an excellent opportunity to develop a cycle and walking friendly
urban area. It will be high density housing, the largest
development in Belfast, close to city centre, on flat ground and
totally newly built. Unfortunately the developers original plans
were to create in their own words ”a development where most people
will travel by car’. Westlink was also a 'missed
opportunity' - 104 million pounds allocated to re-build Belfast's
largest roadway with no provisions for cyclists.
Members
of NICI and Sustrans began writing to Belfast City Council and to MLAs
last year regarding Titanic Quarter and Westlink. Meetings have
been held with councillors, developers and planners. Amoung the
concerns raised on the Titanic development were the need
for continuous separate cycle routes and foot paths that are
segregated from major roads, secure cycle parking areas, and
links to existing cycle routes into city centre and the Comber
greenway. Issues raised regarding Westlink were the need for improved
cycle and pedestrians crossings at major roundabouts like Grosvenor
Road, Roden Street and Stockman's
Lane.
The hard work is
paying off. Changes have been announced on the Titanic
plans including cycle lanes around the major junction entered
Titanic Quarter, toucan crossings across Abercorn basin and a cycle
track along Sydenham Road. Roads Service has announced some Westlink
improvements as well, included cycle crossing a Grovesnor roundabout
and a ramp for wheelchairs and cyclists at Roden St.
Special thanks
to Brendan Daly and Brian Baille from Roads Service for all their
efforts as well as to Steven Patterson from Sustrans, Sally Liya and
Emily Hadden from NICI and all the NCI members who sent letters.
Recent Letters to the
Editors
*
Bicycles
on the
Pavement
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Traffic Speed and Safety
*
Accidents and Traffic Speed
Response to recent
consultations
*Department
of Regional Development Sub Regional Plan
*
Fit Futures
*
Belfast Healthy Cities - Active Living Week
*
Air Quality Action Plan
*
Response to Priorities and Budget
Consultation
*
Prevention of Obesity in Children and Young People
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ROADS
SERVICE has done an excellent job in improving the number and quality
of cycle routes around Northern Ireland. This bit of cycle
path along Ormeau Road poses an interesting challenge. Cyclists and
pedestrians share the foot path here. The bus shelter is in the middle
of the cycle path. Should cyclists ride out into a busy street, or
venture onto the pedestrian portion where they can't see who is coming
behind the shelter? Should traffic be calmed and cyclists
encouraged onto the street? Should the path be widened meaning loss of
park space and trees?
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