Louth Green Party

The "Strategic Policy Committee for Transport and Cross Border Matters" is currently considering his proposals for "road separated or kerb protect" cycle routes to schools. These "Quality Cycling Corridors" would also give our young cyclists legal priority and special safety measures at specific road crossings and traffic junctions. Cllr Herr's proposals are aimed at assuring most parents who are justifiably concerned about allowing their youngsters to cycle on our streets at present. He has argued that the new painted cycle lanes on the edges of many of our streets is not adequately safe for vulnerable cyclists. A painted line will not prevent a car crossing into the cycle lane, parking on the cycle lane, nor will it prevent a youngster from moving carelessly out into the moving traffic, to overtake other cyclists.

This proposal is the first step in a long term strategy by Councillor Herr to:

· Reduce obesity among young people by encouraging a regular and active life style

· Reduce Greenhouse gas emissions from avoidable car trips to school

· Reduce traffic congestion during school opening and closing times in towns in County Louth

· Reduce the cost of motoring for many families trying to manage the changed economic circumstances

· Improve the quality of life for all

· And to improve the image of County Louth as a location for inward investment.

Some videos I recommend include;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK6r9ocFk9w

Please search on You Tube, "Parents Endangering Schoolchildren"
This video shows why parents in County Louth will be very reluctant to allow children to cycle to school- it shows clearly why a painted cycle lane even in a street with very low traffic speeds, is inadequate to assure parents of the safety of their children cycling to school.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n_znwWroGM&eurl=http://www.copenhagenize.com/

"Safe Bicycle Routes to School. Kloosterveen, Assen, Netherlands"

This is the ideal cycle way specification that will assure parents that their children will be safe cycling to school. I believe that parents with young families will be very interested in having this facility. What safer cycle way network will an Irish mother feel safe while taking an infant with her on the back of her bicycle?

http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/physically-separated-bike-lanes/

The case for physically separated cycle lanes in New York. This proves the argument for separating cyclists from cars with physical barriers. In County Louth however we can have linear gardens as barriers down along our streets.