Council backpedals on cycle sign plan for estate in Limerick

LIMERICK City and County Council have backpedaled after removing a sign which gave cyclists permission to ride head on towards cars.

Locals in Ballinacurra Gardens were left furious when a sign was erected at the entrance to their estate advising that those on bikes would be allowed to travel in both directions when cars and other vehicles were only allowed to move northbound.

The sign (pictured below) advised that cars and other vehicles could not travel southbound, with bikes the only permitted mode in that direction.

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Council confirmed it was put up on July 10, in a bid “to improve cyclists’ safety by offering a safer route, avoiding busy roads.”

The authority confirmed the sign was taken down in recent days.

This, they said was: “in response to concerns and to allow a review of the process.”

Niall McMahon, the chairman of the local residents’ association said he and his neighbours felt “shock” and “dismay” at the sign.

“This has been a one-way system since 1979 to 1980 for safety reasons. If I am so used to 40 years coming down here and the next thing a bike comes into you, God forbid: there could be a fatality,” he said.

Despite the removal of the sign, Limerick Live observed a number of cyclists using the street in both directions, disregarding the regulations.

Niall said many car drivers do likewise.

“We have asked for a speed camera or a camera to be placed in such a way that it takes pictures of cars coming the wrong way, and these people can then be summonsed,” he said.

As soon as the sign originally went up, he made contact with a number of councillors in City West Metro District ,

He has also written to Mayor John Moran on the matter.

A spokesperson for council defended the original installation of the sign.

They said the National Transport Authority’s design manual supports contraflow cycling.

“This makes it easier for cyclists to navigate urban areas and improves safety and accessibility,” they added