Local Election 2019 – Where Limerick’s local election candidates stand on cycling issues?

Ann Cronin – Labour

1. Strongly agree – I am a cycle advocate for kids who wish to cycle to school and those of us who cycle to work and for leisure. I will strongly support motions & discussions that push & lobby for safer cycle infrastructure in the city. I will work to ensure that any new transport routes have adequate cycle lane designation.
2. Strongly agree – If we are to develop proper cycle infrastructure we need an appropriate budget that is meaningful and which will allow us to link routes, segregate cycle lanes from motor traffic and provide appropriate transport routes for those of us who cycle to work/ school/ leisure.
3. Strongly agree – Again I will strongly support the creation of the TS Group and the Cycling Officer role. If we are to secure advances we need dedicated professionals within the local authority.
4. Strongly agree – The transport strategy has to focus on cycling and supporting more people to cycle as a means of transport as well as leisure. We need fewer cars on our routes within the city which will reduce congestion as well as carbon emissions and encourage us as a society to be healthier.

Kieran O’Hanlon – Fianna Fáil 

1. Strongly agree
2. Strongly agree 
3. Strongly agree
4. Strongly agree

Conor Sheehan – Labour

1. Agree
2. Agree
3. Strongly agree
4. Agree

Daniel Butler – Fine Gael 

1. Strongly agree – I think the plan should be incorporated into the upcoming transport plan to protect the campaigns identity of cycling as a mode of transport. The fact also this is funded and ready to go will ensure it is expedited. Have a connected and coherent route or lack there of in Limerick has rendered many of the lanes redundant, this needs to change radically.
2. Neither disagree nor agree – It’s hard at this point to commit in isolation part of the budget without seeing the overall budget but certainly it does seem feasible. I am however committed to seeing an annual budget allocation for cycling infrastructure which includes additions and maintenance.
3. Agree – The transport steering group is essentially the SPC which when functioning well is a current and active vehicle to drive this through without the need for another committee. I am open to this idea being expanded on to explain to me why there would be a need for it. A cycling officer would certainly allow for a clear point of contact and help ensure coherence in the councils approach.
4. Strongly agree – Absolutely, I believe Limerick has the capability given its size to have one of the most exciting cycle networks with the possibility of also having a greenway right around and into the city. My preference is for segregated cycle lanes where possible. When I proposed a cycling strategy over 3 years ago my hope was to see cycling embedded in across our organisation so that for example planning would condition cycling facilities such as showers for cyclists. That ambition will continue.

Julian Fitzgibbon – Aontú

1. Strongly agree – Well done on all the work you have done here for your city! As someone who was carless for years and biked out of necessity not mere leisure, I understand how hazardous and uncomfortable biking in Limerick City can be. (Ballyhoura is great though!) The bike lanes are piecemeal! I attended the LCCO presentation by the executive on Mar 19 on the transport infrastructure of the city. Proposals for continuous bus corridors and bike lanes were suggested including CPOing land. I support this except when it involves stealing people’s gardens!
2. Agree – I agree in principle with ring fencing a proportion of the Road and Transport budget but would not be rigid about the figure which could vary anyway according to funding from other development sources at National and possibly European level.
3. Agree – I agree with the appointment of a cycling officer only if we are sure the individual is effective and competent and has the requisite resources; I don’t want an appointment for window dressing purposes, to meet a target of having a cycling officer.
4. Strongly agree – I believe that strategy was supposed to be signed off by existing Councillors in May before the election? They were due to have private meetings and focus groups with the NTA, Council and others in April. That is what we were told at the Executive transport presentation!

Jim Long – Non Party

1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Neither disagree nor agree
4. Strongly agree

Seónaidh Ní Shíomóin – Solidarity

1. Strongly agree
2. Strongly agree
3. Strongly agree
4. Strongly agree

Seán Hartigan – Green Party

1. Strongly agree – As a cyclist, environmental educator & Green Party candidate I fully recognise the need for a connected, coherent & safe utility cycling network.
2. Strongly agree – In January of this year the Green Party called on Minister for Transport Shane Ross to accept the will of the Dáil and increase the funding for cycling to 10 per cent of the transport budget.
3. Strongly agree – Limerick City & County council need to appoint a cycling officer to promote cycling in a meaningful way and ensure active travel is central to the Council’s transport agenda. For too long there has been insufficient serious promotion and understanding of everyday active travel as the most appropriate response to congested streets, urban air pollution and the best means of making Limerick a real living city.
4. Strongly agree – The upcoming transport Strategy needs to transform Limericks streets, improve public transport and create opportunities for new homes and jobs. To achieve this, we need to encourage more people to walk, cycle and use public transport.

Michael Sheahan – Fine Gael 

1. Strongly agree – I have been an active and vocal support of Smarter Travel for many years, on behalf of my constituents. I regularly use the infrastructure in my area as do my family and friends.
2. Strongly agree – At every opportunity I have and continue to promote investment in safe cycling infrastructure.
3. Strongly agree – I think this is a wonderful initiative to build on the hard work of the smarter travel coordinators.
4. Strongly agree – I will continue to support the policy framework to increase cycling participation in our city. Thank you for this initiative.

Elena Secas – Labour

1. Strongly agree
2. Agree – I strongly agree to support investment in the cycling infrastructure, but I would not make a commitment for a certain percentage as I do not have any figures for the future budgets at this point in time.
3. Neither disagree nor agree – There is a Travel and Transportation SPC, so I am not sure if another committee/steering group would be needed. I believe what we need is more action and policy implementation and a cycling officer will be required for that purpose, so I will support a Cycling Officer role.
4. Strongly agree