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A SENATOR HAS written to Luas operator Transdev asking that cyclists be allowed on the trams at off-peak hours.
Neale Richmond (FG) says that the plan is “very doable” and is done across Europe.
Richmond adds that the idea would be helpful to tourists in a time when Dublin is trying to market itself to active tourists.
“We also have precedence of this already in Dublin, as the Dart allows cyclists to bring their bicycles on-board during off-peak hours.
“While it may not be feasible to accommodate bicycles at peak service times, there should at least be scope to look at accommodating bicycles at off-peak times, particularly weekends.”
With the two Luas lines ending in the south of the county, Richmond says the popularity with recreational cyclists would be huge.
“South Dublin is the start of many of the mountain trails and routes that traverse the Dublin and Wicklow mountains; for many families these are inaccessible as they are unwilling to cycle the city routes out or haven’t the means to transport their bicycles.
“Amending the bye laws to allow bicycles to be brought on at the weekends could open up the mountains with easy start points along the LUAS line at stops such as Glencairn or Carrickmines.
“I am asking Transdev to examine the demand for bicycles on Luas services and to find a way to accommodate these customers just like their counterparts on the DART have managed to.”
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Ludacrious, as a regular user of both trains and the LUAS, that is barely room for buggies sometimes, never mind bikes
@Pat Magennis: heres something that might blow your mind. They can fit racks to secure your bike to on the outside of the trams.! Like they do in holland
@cp: that sounds a much better solution.
@Gillian Weir Scully: works fantastic in holland. I honestly thought they would have had them on the luas already.
@cp: There are many sections where the bikes would hit other bikes strapped to another Luas.
But I saw bikes on it a few times. They just wheel it in the last door and stand there with it. Obviously they won’t get on or even fit on if it’s busy or busy times.
@cp: try that on the red line and see how long your bike lasts
Why not horses as well when he was writing his letter. I want to be a to bring my horse.
@Tom Fennelly: if youve ever been to holland they have bike racks on the outside of the trams. Works great. I thought they would have had this already here.
@Jayo Breathneach: there are a lock to secure the bikes that only the tram driver can release and he can see them via a camera.
@Jayo Breathneach: Somebody stole the racks?
@Tom Fennelly: what will the cyclist do when the tram stops at a red light? Can you image the stress this will cause them?
We could have to train plenty of councillors to deal with the trauma this will cause
@cp: that’s more work so pay increase required.
@cp: Do you have a photo of this as I was unable to find any photos on line showing such trams, I have travelled many times in Amsterdam but never saw bicycles on the outside of trams, I have seen people bring them on board, in Dublin there would be a problem with side mounted racks as when two luas trams pass each other there is not enough clearance.
@Jayo Breathneach: I’ve just come back from Amsterdam, it has the highest rate of bike theft in europe by a country mile. Hundreds of thousands of bikes stolen every year. Of course bicycle usage is much higher over there so comparing it to dublin is like apples and oranges. Nonetheless your comment is completely inaccurate. https://www.alphabet.com/en-ww/article/bicycle-theft-european-statistics
@Jayo Breathneach: Sorry I’ve just come back from Amsterdam, and had to pick you up on this. Amsterdam has the highest rate of bike theft in europe by a country mile. Hundreds of thousands of bikes stolen every year. Of course bicycle usage is much higher over there so comparing it to Dublin is like apples and oranges. Nonetheless your comment is completely inaccurate. https://www.alphabet.com/en-ww/article/bicycle-theft-european-statistics
You should see the discomfort of passengers on Darts and suburban trains during peak times because of irresponsible bike owners abandoning bikes while they sit down
@Tom Mc Bride: classic didn’t read the article ^^^
It says for off peak times
@Tom Mc Bride: You’re not allowed bring a bike on the Dart during peak times.
@Paul Byrne: Not supposed to but I’ve seen them on peak darts plenty of times.
I should be allowed tp bring my bus on the Luas so I don’t have to change at Busarus.
I mean, it’s not like these people have any other form of transport at their disposal… if you have a bike, why would you need the luas? One or the other.
NOOOOOOOOOOO is he mad with nothing better to do. Cyclists already think they own the roads and pavements and that they are exempt from any rules.
@Gillian Weir Scully: and they will get anxious and uptight when the luas stops at a red light?
I can’t believe a Senator has nothing better to do – than write about this – he clearly has too much time on his hands , he needs to reassess his priorities -what about all the important stuff that a person in that office should be doing ? Do we not have homeless people here for example -surely that’s more important than lazy pedal pushers on a Sunday morning jaunt !
@Derek Slevin: I can’t believe you had time to write this comment when you could have been out helping homeless people yourself.
@Sean: I can’t believe the amount of homeless people I helped last night
Good idea but only on one of the carriages, not on all of them. One carriage could be fitter with stands to be sure the bikes are standing safely etc
What about a bike rack on the front. The driver can see you placing your bike on it and then wait for you to board.
@Hank: and so can every one else on board the luas
I cycle from Phibsboro to Tallaght and back every day. On the way out it’s mainly a constant slow climb, and generally always into the wind. I’m pretty fit so it doesn’t bother me, but for the casual commute bringing your bike out to Tallaght on the Luas and then cycling back would mean people get some form of exercise when they finish work, without having to get sweaty on the way into work.
So if you rob a bike, just bring it to a Luas & disappear into the suburbs….
@Colm Flaherty: yeah cos only the Luas goes to the suburbs
What kind of a name is Neale??
@Joe O’riordan: Says the person who can’t use capital letters properly!
The only way I could see this work if they strip out particular carriages to fit in racks or have one side for bikes and one with seating. Currently the trams are too narrow. The only place now you could squeeze a bike it is where the foldable seats are but then you would be taking up room from buggies and wheelchairs.
@Σ ΛΛ ΛΛ Θ: Get a foldable bike.
No
Why dont trains plus luas add another carriage that only caters for bikes
No discrimination against the hells angels.
The Luas is not comparable to the DART with regard space for bikes since the former is much smaller with more closely placed obstructions such as poles, bars, seating and the fact that the carriages turn much more sharply on bends where the latter has more space with fewer obstructions and little turning on bends. While the DART prohibits bikes at peak times and bikes are not allowed on the Luas nor in Stephens Green at any time, I’ve seen people, wilfully and otherwise, ignore those by-laws. It’s unlikely that IrishRail / Transdev / OPW have the people-power to police those by-laws. In place of policing, we’re relying on common sense to prevail.
I fail to see where bike racks (with locks / cameras) could be placed on the tram given that both ends of the tram have driver cabs, unlike the trams in Amsterdam where there is a distinctive front cab only. While in Amsterdam recently, I travelled on trams and have no recollection of seeing any bike racks on them but it is possible I may have missed them or I used trams that don’t have them.
No -definitely not
Ah yes, Dublin serviced by buses and trains and taxis and rickshaws and the Luas. Could Dublin natives get any more public transport, I feel it is overwhelming the city. Was there any need for the Luas in the city, when direct metro transport is needed to the airport. Why isn’t there a dedicated Traffic Corp on the M50, when there is accidents on it daily? When are we going to start building skyscrapers, and end this urban sprawl?
If you want to get on the train/luas with a bike buy a fold-up one and actually fold it up
have your say