Naas Families Call For Better Cycling Infrastructure In The Town

Tuesday, 1 February 2022 09:57

By Caoimhe Harney

On the Sallins road and Grand Canal

Naas families are calling for better cycling infrastructure on the Sallins Road and the Grand Canal.

A number of families took part in a cycle on Sunday 30 January to highlight the urgent need for improved cycling and walking infrastructure in Naas.

The organisers are calling for the immediate introduction of essential steps to make it safer, healthier, more accessible and more enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities to safely cycle to school, work and other day to day activities.

The group are seeking the immediate implementation of a number of measures, including:

·The introduction of a 30km zone throughout the town.

·Segregated cycle lanes on main street.

·An immediate ban on trucks and lorries travelling through the main street.

·Traffic-free exclusion zones outside schools at drop off and collection times.

Critical Mass is a global movement of people calling for safer, healthier streets for anyone wishing to cycle in their day-to-day activities, but are unable to do so without risking their safety.

Critical Mass is a form of direct action in which people travel safely as a group through their neighbourhoods on bikes.

These events are a call to action to councils, governments and road planners to properly and thoughtfully design in the safety of all road users, including those who would prefer to walk and cycle, instead of prioritising motor traffic above all else.

Liz Denieffe, parent and one of the event organisers added: “I would love for my children to safely cycle to school and other activities but at the moment I'm too afraid to let them do that.

"Through-traffic in the town is consistently heavy, but the presence of trucks and lorries on the main street in particular is making families too scared to let their kids cycle, and that has to be addressed.”

Liz Deniffe joined Ciara Noble on Wednesday morning's Kildare Today, along with Cllr Colm Kenny of the Naas MD, who offered an opposing view: