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Home arrow News arrow Local News arrow Lower speed limit will improve traffic gridlock, say Galway cyclists
Lower speed limit will improve traffic gridlock, say Galway cyclists E-mail
Written by Avril Horan   
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
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Lower speed limit will improve traffic gridlock, say Galway cyclists
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The Galway Cycling Society has welcomed a proposal to slash the speed limit in parts of the city from 50km/h to 30km/h. Chairman of the society, Shane Foran said that speed limits are a key issue for cyclists in the city and of “far more value than the piecemeal imposition of so-called cycle paths preferred by local authorities”.

“This is one of the key issues. The fact that people are not getting knocked down does not mean the roads are safe. Cyclists and pedestrians in Galway feel the roads are dangerous,” he said.

The society has hit out at the National Taxi Drivers Union (NTDU) who said they are being “punished” for bad behaviour of some cyclists and pedestrians with the possible introduction of the new speed limit. Mr Foran said these claims are unfounded and easily contradicted by the experiences in other countries. In fact, he argued that the lower speed limit could lead to motorists spending less time sitting at junctions.
 
“A 40 per cent reduction in the speed limit in urban areas would be a major improvement and would be a big help to vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, as well as disabled and older people. This would in turn have societal benefits, in terms of public health and the environment," explained Mr Foran.
 
Last week, Chairman of the Galway Rural Taxi Alliance, Des O’Dowd, told the Galway Independent that a 30km/h speed limit in the city would be difficult for Galway taxi drivers. He said it would create a “very slow procession of traffic”.

“I know there is a safety element,” said Mr O’Dowd, “but reducing the speed limit even further would be hard for us. It’s a fact that it would increase driver frustration and it is an easy way out in terms of road safety. The city council need to improve lighting on roads and introduce more footpaths,” he said.

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