Cycling in Cork. Now there’s something that never seems to get boring. I’ve recently started using Coke Zero Bikes again after what feels like an eternity, only to find that most road users in Cork are as thick as three layers of battleship armour. Ignoring red lights seems to be a favourite pastime for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, buses, taxis, and emergency services alike. Cyclists of all ages, genders and nationalities seem totally incapable of grasping the concept of one-way cycle lanes, and no one seems able to keep a somewhat decent lookout for other road users. And that doesn’t even take into account those “lovely” individuals that delight in intimidating, cutting off, and harassing cyclists. Forget about new laws, where’s a RPG-7 when you need one?
In short, no one trusts cyclists… with good reason, and cyclists don’t trust anyone either, again with good reason. With that being the case, clearly segregated cycle lanes or bike paths should be in anyone’s interest, or so one would think. Sadly, many motorists seem to believe that everything from one edge of the pavement to the other belongs to them, and ONLY to them. South Main Street is a pretty “good” example for that. The counterflow bike lane, especially the upper part near the intersection with Washington Street, is often used as a parking lot by a bunch of dimwitted tools visiting the shops in that area, usually hairdressers of questionable repute, as well as fast-food joints. Because these collective wastes of oxygen and genetic material seem to be too lazy to walk for a minute or two, cyclists are forced into oncoming traffic, not a fun experience, believe me. And personally, I don’t like to risk my life and health because of someone else’s complacency, laziness and sheer idiocy.
None of this is exactly new, so why do I bring it up now? Well, for the first time in a long time, we’e had some interesting visitors in Cork, the German intelligence gathering ship Oker. More on her in another upcoming article. With the weather being reasonably dry, I decided to cycle out to the docks, originally planning to drop off my bike at the Lower Glanmire Road docking station. However, as I crossed Brian Boru Bridge, I noticed that a new stretch of bike path had been finished along the lower Parts of St. Patrick’s Quay. Of course, I decided to check it out, so I quickly changed plans, and direction. The new cycle path leads from Brian Boru Bridge, past the Coke Zero Bikes station of the same name, to Penrose Wharf, where it changes from one side of the road to the other, and morphs into a one way bike lane. That lane ends at Railway Street, where the road surface and pavement have been resurfaced as part of the new south entrance to Kent Station. It feels a bit disjointed, but I presume it will make a whole lot more sense once that new entrance, and the associated bike stands and car parks, are open.
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| Now that wasn't there the last time I was down here. Granted, that was over a year ago, but still. |
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| Currently the cycle path ends rather abruptly. I presume it will be extended down St. Patrick's Quay to the new pedestrian bridge across the Lee, whenever that project gets underway. |
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| This type of grade separation between cycle paths and motorised traffic should be standard throughout Cork. |
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| A great piece of cycling infrastructure. Would look better with a decent flood defence wall on the river side, though. |
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| Coke Zero Bikes Docking Station Brian Boru Bridge is conveniently located right next to the new cycle path. |
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| Further down at Penrose Quay, the whole thing turns into one way cycle lane leading to the new Kent Station entrance. |
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| Cycle traffic is directed to the left up Railway Street. |
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| The transition between the two sections is a bit awkward... |
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| ...although given the layout of the junction on Penrose Quay, I'm not sure there were many alternatives. |
I nearly had a heart attack when I turned from Railway Street into Alfred Street. Like Railway Street, it has been resurfaced, and two bike lanes added to link to the existing cycleways and Coke Zero Bikes Station at Lower Glanmire Road. So far, so good, so unremarkable. If it hadn’t been for more than two dozen cars that used one of the two new bike lanes as a fucking car park!! Seriously, what the hell is wrong with these people? Is it really too much to ask to look for a proper parking spot, and maybe, you know, WALK a minute or two? I mean, in case you haven’t noticed, humans have these things called “legs”, and they are actually meant to be used for that. And if a fat ass like me has no trouble walking, I can’t see why it should be an issue for other, healthier, people. Also, it’s not as if that bike lane is in any way inconspicuous. If you ask me, the red surfacing, direction arrows, and the BIKE symbols on there are a dead giveaway. And don’t you dare give me any of that lack of parking bullshit. The two car parks of Kent Station were almost empty, and there are other public car parks around.
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| Is this sign really that hard to understand? |
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| Apparently, it is. |
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| Seriously, are the people really that stupid? Or just fucking lazy? Whatever, all these cars should be towed, impounded, and released only after payment of a SUBSTANTIAL penalty. We're talking three digit sums here! |
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| I would have thought that the red colour and the bike symbol would be a clear signal that this is a bike lane, and NOT a parking lot. |
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| That direction arrow isn't really inconspicuous either. But then again, these people are probably so thick that they wouldn't get the meaning, if you wrote it on a steel pipe and hit them over the head with it! |
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| The other side of the road is fine. |
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| No issues here. This is how a cycle lane should be: clear of any GODDAMN CARS! |
The situation had only marginally improved when I cycled past there 45 minutes later, after getting some interesting shots of FGS Oker, and the new south entrance to Kent Station. In my eyes, this kind of wild parking is a clear safety threat to other road users, and issuing parking tickets is not enough. The ONLY appropriate response to this behaviour is to tow and impound the affected vehicles, and to release them only after a significant, financially painful penalty been paid. And don’t give me any of that “I can’t afford to pay” bullcrap. If you have enough money for a car, you have enough money to use a proper car park. If you haven’t you’ve clearly not got your financial priorities in order.
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| On a more positive note, there is finally visible progress on the new entrance to Kent Station. |
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| I like the tarpaulin design. I presume this is where the bus stops will be? |
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| Still a bit of work to be done, though. |
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| Lots of car parking spaces by the looks of it. I hope the tool parade on Alfred Street will stop once the car park is open! |
Oh, and the article on FGS Oker will follow on Tuesday.
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