Ban big bike events from rural Galway roads

Cycling congestion is choking the winding roads out west – and it’s time to call a halt.

That’s according to Councillor Joe Folan who wants a curtailment or ban on large cycle events and large groups of cyclists on the roads of Connemara.

“I have nothing against those who go out individually – or three or four cyclists together.

“But the large groups and throngs that are regularly swamping the narrow roads of Connemara in recent years is a serious hindrance to local people and a potential safety risk,” he said.

Cllr Folan instanced an event last week in which over 2,000 cyclists participated on the south Connemara roads.

“This causes long delays to motorists, many of them local people who have business, work and other commitments to attend to.  I encountered a group of about fifty cyclists last weekend in south Connemara and drivers had a very difficult time negotiating their way,” he said.

He was unapologetic about the rights of local motorists and local people.

“Motorists pay up their road tax and contribute to the upkeep of our infrastructure, bad and all as it is. There is no tax on bicycles”.

Joe Folan said he has received a significant number of complaints from Connemara people about hold-ups due to cycle events – and he says he will now be pursuing the matter.

Councillor Folan said that the amount of economic benefit to Connemara from such events is often negligible.

“Some of these events begin in Galway city and come out the south Connemara road. From there, they angle north to Maam Cross and in along the N59 to Galway again. Where is the economic benefit there?” Councillor Folan asked.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.