Goodbye Darragh, you certainly made your presence felt, trees down, bins scattered, garden furniture toppled. I talked to a tree surgeon yesterday who was chopping up a huge tree in Lisburn at the ungodly hour of 2.15 a.m and that was a typical scene around Ireland. I was sceptical about climate change a few years ago and argued with my scientific cousin who was rightly sure of the phenomenon and now I bow my head to science and it’s frightening.
I was calmed during the re-opening of the beautiful Notre Dame de Paris cathedral yesterday and I’m about to return for this mornings mass. Gone are those dark candle lit corners which were so emotive, rather a glowing interior, bright and impressive. BBC didn’t do it justice as there was no one identifying the guests except for Trump and Prince William. With the situation in Syria this morning the service might not be covered so I’ve about ten minutes to wait to see what there will be to see. Obviously the Syrian situation is much more important and the consequences interesting to say the least.
picture: Curtesy of Sustrans NI.
Cyclists are in the news for good and sad reasons. Due to a recent road accident the death of Gary McMahon in Belfast brought shock and sympathy to his family and Paddy McGuinness who, on a chopper bike, cycled 300 miles and raised at least £10 million for Children in Need.
I remember the Saturday morning I went shopping with my Dad. Linenhall Street was our venue where once there was a bicycle emporium and I was in seventh heaven. My Christmas wish had been granted, I was getting a new bike. It was quite a procedure, measured as I sat on the saddle with my feet on the ground, test the bell, the lamp on the front and the light on the back and we were off. Note: no helmet in those days, an essential to day.
This will be the excitement for many young children later this month but will they learn the rules of the road before venturing out? In my day cars were respectful of cyclists and I remember being really proud that I cycled home from school one day reading a book at the same time. When I boasted about this I was roundly scolded by my shocked parents!
Because of the volume of motor vehicles on the road, more and more adults are taking to what should be safe cycle lanes although so often vehicles park in these dedicated areas. Recent figures show that 1% of all journeys in Belfast are by bike, 2% by public transport, 24% walkers with almost 70% being car journeys. The vast majority of all journeys across Northern Ireland are by car. Do you know we have one million cars and vans on Northern Ireland roads, four times more than 1970?
Anne Madden
A Watching Brief
I was fascinated to chat with bike enthusiastic Anne Madden who is policy and communications manager with Sustrans Northern Ireland, a charity bent on making it easier for people to walk and cycle, offering training to young cyclists and developing cycle and walking routes throughout the UK. Anne knows her statistics and has her finger on the pulse. “We’re working to ensure Northern Ireland politicians and local authorities deliver policies and projects that encourage a reduction on car dependency.” Our conversation ranges over lots of topics, including the fact that heavy duty four wheel drive monster motors have weakened the road surface resulting in dangerous pot holes. You reap what you sow.
We discuss the concerning fact that nearly a quarter of children in Northern Ireland are overweight and with 60% of pupils being driven to school in cars results in cutting down exercise, although this figure is falling. I get annoyed when people criticise parents who run their children to school and pick them up again, there are safety concerns and a lack of transport to many parts of the province; I understand independent bus companies are trying to facilitate families who are not on the main routes and more power to them for doing so.
Safety Is A Priority
“This is something Sustrans have at the forefront of our activities. We offer road cycle training for Primary 6 pupils to give them skills in road safety and provide secure cycle parking at schools for both pupils and staff. Our Active School Travel programme has changed peoples routines and walking or cycling to school has resulted in a classroom of healthier children, more alert and active with improved concentration.” Anne adds: “Reducing traffic and carbon emissions around the school gates has the added impact of improving air quality, a significant public health issue especially in urban areas.”
Dianne Whyte and Kieran Coyle, Leading The Way Active Travel Officers, pictured at the Northern Ireland Road Safety awards. Credit: Sustrans
Adults are every bit as important to Sustrans. Although twice as many men cycle than females, Sustrans’ Women Into Cycling course has just won their category at the NI Road Safety Awards ceremony and, thanks to the Belfast City Council and their Belfast Bikes scheme. adults have taken to cycling often for the first time since they were children. There are 400 bikes for hire and over 50 docking stations offering instant transport all over the city and greater Belfast whether for business or pleasure.
It’s all about taking care, concentrating on other drivers and riders, being one step ahead of danger. If you lived in Tokyo the rules of the road are quite different, riding when drunk means a jail sentence for three years or a fine of up to £2500. Using a mobile phone, penalty six months in jail or £508 fine and there’s a fine of £25 for cycling when carrying an umbrella!
Another worry coming up to December 25th morning is how on earth will Father Christmas get a bike down the chimney! I’m sure Sustrans will have an answer.
Find out more at Belfast Bikes and information on Sustrans at Sustrans Northern Ireland.
Blunder
Daniel O’Donnell must have been surprised when UTV showed his picture during their brief mention of the death of Downtown’s Big T.