‘Road diets’ could make Irelands towns and cities safer, while encouraging a shift from driving to cycling and walking, according to Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe.
In his submission on the Draft Transport Strategy for Dublin, the Green Party MEP said the concept could encourage a dramatic ‘modal shift’ toward more sustainable transport in Ireland.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, he said narrower car lanes prevent speeding and make space for cycle paths and walkways that “make the places we live better for everyone, not just the motorist”.
Road diet
He said the strategy is on the rise all around the world.
“The road diet is about the narrowing of lanes or a junction of a road,” he said.
“Why do we do this? We do it because it slows down the traffic and makes it safer particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.
“It is happening all around the world. The Dutch did this initially 30 or 40 years ago – they call in Woonerf; in England they call it Living Streets and the Americans call it a ‘Road Diet’ – which is very American, but it is a very serious issue. It is about making streets safer.”
On Twitter earlier this week, Mr Cuffe proposed a number of dangerous junctions that could really benefit from a road diet.
Road diets: Dublin needs them. Wide lanes and junctions aren't safe as they encourage speeding. I've asked @TFIupdates to include this in their strategy. Parnell Square, Annamoe Road, Mount Pleasant Avenue, what's your favourite candidate? https://t.co/tKw3s3OzfP pic.twitter.com/ROeMtJwI37
— Ciarán Cuffe (@CiaranCuffe) January 10, 2022
“When you talk to engineers about this they say, you need three things - Enforcement, education and engineering, he said.
“The enforcement is up to the Gardai, education is up to the RSA but when it comes to engineering, this is where local authorities can really lead.
“This is about the reengineering of the roads to encourage people to drive at a safe speed and I think that could give you the liveable streets – the kind of improvements that make the places we live better for everyone, not just the motorist.”
Secret weapon
Mr Cuffe said the concept is “one of those secret weapons in the town planner’s armoury that can help us really transform communities”.
He said it does not lead to increased congestions – as it encourages more people to walk, cycle and use public transport.
“I think it will encourage a modal shift,” he said. “It will encourage people to leave the car at home and walk and cycle.
“In doing so, that will free up the road space for those who really need to drive. I think it can really be an improvement and step in the right direction.”
