Month: March 2006

  • Western Health Board confirms financial backing for signs project

    November 2004: Western Health Board confirms financial backing for signs project Mr. Paul Gillen of WHB health promotion services has confirmed that the WHB is to provide a grant of EU 5,000 in suppport of the Faster by Bike in Galway project. The GCC committee wish to record their sincere thanks for the Western Health Board’s generous support. Initially, part of the funds will be use to expand the project in Galway city. However, subject to final approval by Galway County Council, the remainder of the funds are to be held aside for use in the county towns of Galway. Initial negiotiations have been started with the council’s Loughrea regional office. It is hoped that this is merely the first of many co-operative projects between the Galway Cycling Campaign and the regional health agencies. Mr Gillen has indicated a desire on the part of the WHB to take a regional approach to cycling promotion. Cyclists from the Roscommon and Mayo areas who would like to expand the scheme to their areas should get in touch with the GCC and can expect every assistance from ourselves and the Western Health Board

  • Galway’s “Cycle Paths”

    The Real Function of Galway’s "Cycle Paths" ?

    "Cycle lane" blocked by road signs, near Glenburren Park

    Galway’s "cycle paths" are apparently ideal when it comes to finding somewhere to put any inconvenient road signs.  (This includes signs of the permanent variety as well as well as bus stops.)

    The "cycle paths" don’t just save motorist convenience as a place to store signs.

    They are also used for routing pipes and services. This ensures that the actual disruption due to road works is also predominantly targeted at people on bicycles rather than at motorists.

  • Galway’s Roundabouts

    Galway’s Roundabouts

    Life outside a car in the "City of the Tribes"

     

    Galway’s Roundabouts

    On multilane roundabouts of the design favoured by Galway corporation cyclists have an injury accident rate that is 14-16 times that of motorists. Motorcycle/Scooter users are only marginally better off at 10-13 times the injury rate. They are also a nightmare for pedestrians. Many of them were built at a time when over 39% of permanent private households in the City didn’t have a car. While for short urban journeys within the city, foot and cycle use outweighed motorcar milage by a factor of almost two. [1]