The Cycling Route Assessment Checklist has been developed to empower citizens to be part of the decision making process for the development of cycle routes in their communities.
Public space is a valuable but limited resource and is maximised when co-designed by the community. A co-design process creates a sense of community ownership and incorporates the social identities and heritage that define a place. A place-making approach, inspiring people to collectively reimagine and reinvent public spaces at the heart of every community, helps communities transform their public spaces into vital places that highlight local assets, spur rejuvenation, and serve common needs (Project for Public Spaces, 2021).

Ireland has committed to improving consultation by public bodies and giving citizens a greater say in local government decisions that affect their own community. Below is a brief list of some of the ways you can get involved. However, the CRAC tool is designed to make it easier for citizens to have their say at any time. If there is a new cycle route proposed in your area or if you simply wish to provide feedback on an existing route, complete the CRAC and send it to the local area Engineer of your Local Authority or to a local Councillor.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS

Development plans shape the future of the local environment, community and the local authority (i.e. your city or county council). There are 31 local authorities in Ireland and each local authority must prepare a new development plan every six years outlining the development objectives for the area. Submissions can be made during the review stage, at the presentation of the draft and where any material alterations are made to the draft before the plan is adopted by the councillors.

The LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES (LCDC) have been established on a statutory basis to bring a more coordinated approach to local and community development. The LCDC is made up of elected members and staff of the local authority, people from public bodies who provide funding to the area, people from the local community interests, people from the local community and people from publicly funded/supported local development groups.

The PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NETWORK (PPN) allows local authorities to connect with community groups around the country. Community groups register to join the PPN in their local authority area to have a say in local government decisions which affect their own communities. This may be an opportunity for a cycling group to have their views represented.

STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES (SPCs) are policy making committees in councils whose membership includes elected councillors and representatives of the community. The SPC system is intended to give councillors and relevant sectoral interests an opportunity for full involvement in the policy making process from the early stages. Each Local Authority will have an SPC for transport / infrastructure.

Many public realm projects, such as new cycle routes, are subject to a public consultation process under the planning regulations and are referred to as "Part 8" schemes. This requires that notice of the proposed development shall be given and a consultation period will follow, when anyone may make submissions. Ideally Local Authorities will also hold public meetings or other events to enable people to fully participate in the process. Following the consultation period, the Chief Executive of the local authority will present recommendations to the members of the authority.
"Section 38" of the Road Traffic Act allows for the provision of traffic calming measures, in the interest of the safety and convenience of road users, with shorter notice and representation periods.

REFERENCES AND GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS

National Transport Authority of Ireland. (2011). The National Cycle Manual https://www.cyclemanual.ie/

Department of the Environment. (2019). The Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3360b1-design-manual-for-urban-roads-and-streets/

National Transport Authority of Ireland (2015) ‘Permeability Best Practice Guide’ https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Permeability_Best_Practice_Guide_NTA_20151.pdf

European Cyclists Federation. (2018) EuroVelo European Certification Standard https://pro.eurovelo.com/download/document/ECS-Manual-2018_04_16.pdf

CROW. (2007). “Design Manual for Bicycle Traffic.” CROW, Utrecht, Netherlands

Project for Public Spaces. (2021) https://www.pps.org/category/placemaking

Cycling for all (2020) http://cyclingforall.ie/ A national campaign for infrastructure to support cycling for all ages and abilities, with examples of good design

Geller, R., & City of Portland Office of Transportation. (2009). Four types of cyclists. Portland, Or.: PortlandOnline https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/264746

PRIVACY POLICY

This document pertains to the Cycle Route Assessment Checkist (CRAC). For details of the Cyclist.ie Privacy Policy please see - https://cyclist.ie/privacy/

What we collect

We retain the submission you make via CRAC. You can optionally provide an email address when completing the survey.

What your data is used for

The Survey results will be used to generate insights and guidance for Cyclist.ie members and Local Authorities, at an aggregate level. We collect your email address only for the purposes of emailing you a copy of your survey submission.

How we store your data

Your submission (including email address) is stored separately from other Cyclist.ie member lists or user data, and is accessible only to the CRAC project team.
Your responses are gathered using google forms and are only shared with the CRAC project team, a sub-group of Cyclist.ie.
For further information on Google Forms, please see Google Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policies https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2450387?hl=en and https://policies.google.com/privacy

Who we share your data with

We don’t share your email address with anybody.

How long we retain your data

We will erase email addresses at least once per year.