Safe cycling in Cork city: Bollards to be installed on 4kms of cycle lanes

Up to 4km of bollards will be installed across Cork city to protect cycle lanes under the ‘Reimagining Cork City’ programme.

New and upgraded cycling infrastructure was central to Cork City Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The bollards, which are to be erected to ensure cyclist protection from vehicular traffic, are set to be installed “at strategic parts of the most popular cycle lanes in the city” on Alfred Street, South Main Street, Washington Street, near UCC gates on Washington Road, Rossa Avenue, in Mahon Point, Ballincollig, and Mulgrave Street.

Asked whether there were specifics on the locations of the bollards, Director of Operations with Cork City Council David Joyce said: “We’re working through them. We have got some of them identified, we’re just working through some of the others.

“They are in specific locations that have been brought to our attention over the last six months during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown by cyclists and members of the public.

“We’re trying to react and trying to understand what people’s needs are now across the city, and try to implement measures that will make it more attractive to cyclists,” he added.

Assistant Chief Executive Brian Geaney said of the proposed locations: “They are under review. There is one of those that might not be possible due to the on-street infrastructure, and there are one or two others that we are looking to put in also.” 

Alongside these measures, up to 4.1km of new cycle lanes are to be developed on South Mall, Horgan's Quay, Terence MacSwiney Quay and Victoria Road by the end of the year, while work at Centre Park Road and Monahan Road are expected to be completed during August.

Another €1.5 million of resurfacing and relining is to begin on 6km of existing cycle lanes in October, at Gillabbey St, Proby’s Quay, Rossa Ave, Ballincollig, Kinsale Road, Mahon Link and Douglas.

More than 43 new bicycle racks are being installed across the city - ten at a new indoor space at North Main Street Shopping Centre.

Two sponsored racks are being put in place at Ballincollig Regional Park and Lapps Quay this month.

The rest will be in place by the end of the year and will enable the safe parking of approximately 500 bikes.