{"id":6553,"date":"2021-03-28T09:30:22","date_gmt":"2021-03-27T20:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.willandrewsdesign.com\/?p=6553"},"modified":"2022-12-15T10:33:36","modified_gmt":"2022-12-14T21:33:36","slug":"controversial-liffey-cycle-route-to-provide-e200m-economic-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.willandrewsdesign.com\/?p=6553","title":{"rendered":"Controversial Liffey Cycle Route to provide \u20ac200m economic benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"

Encouraging Dubliners to cycle more by creating a high-quality route along the Liffey could tackle unhealthy lifestyles, making a substantial contribution to the economy, according to research \u2014 but carpark owners have attempted to obstruct the scheme.<\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Over \u20ac200m in healthcare costs would be saved by getting Dubs more active and by reducing pollution from cars, according to the research. Health benefits to users of the scheme would prevent 66 premature deaths. <\/span><\/h3>\n

While the Covid-19 pandemic rages, Ireland is undergoing a separate but also critical health crisis: physical inactivity and obesity. <\/span>The Department of Health estimated the annual economic costs of obesity on the island of Ireland at approximately \u20ac1.64 billion in 2012. An inactive lifestyle contributes to diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart problems and some forms of cancer, according to public health doctors, who warn of an \u2018obesity epidemic\u2019 putting strain on HSE and private health services, and damaging people\u2019s quality of life.<\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Groups
Groups advocating for safe cycling organised protest rides to call for better facilities along the Liffey Quays (2018).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

One proven solution is for city authorities to boost the uptake of ‘active travel’: cycling, walking, and use of public transport. The recent study on the proposed Liffey Cycle Route aimed to estimate what improvement it could make to the public health of Dubs. T<\/span>he work was carried out at UCD\u2019s School of Geography under Associate Professor Gerard Mills. It found that the number of cyclists commuting into Dublin\u2019s Liffey Quays from the west would increase from just over 6,000 currently to over 15,000 if the high-quality route were built. Analysis of Council data shows that over 100,000 people cross daily into the central city from the west, but less than 2% of these are currently cyclists (pre-covid). <\/span><\/p>\n

If this percentage were increased to levels targeted in official plans, or even levels of cycling seen elsewhere in the city, the extra physical activity would lead to major healthcare savings. <\/span>Figures in the study for deaths prevented, and the resulting economic effects, were calculated using statistical tools approved by the WHO and the Irish Department of Transport. The work was based on pre-covid scenarios because long-term datasets were needed to predict changes in cycling uptake.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the Liffey Cycle Route has been mired in controversy, delays and redesigns since at least 2011. Lobby groups representing carpark owners in the city centre have sought to stop the project, and at time of writing its completion date is at least three years away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Public Health<\/span><\/p>\n

One in four Irish children of primary school age \u2018cannot run properly\u2019 due to lack of fitness and strength, a Dublin City University study revealed last year. Meanwhile, lack of physical activity is dubbed \u2018the new smoking\u2019 by many public health professionals. Diet is critical in tackling obesity, but physical activity plays an important role.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lifetime costs from childhood obesity and overweight in Ireland total \u20ac4.6 billion, according to the HSE; research in 2012 estimated the costs as \u20ac1.64 billion for adults. Absenteeism from work, premature mortality and income losses make up a large part of these costs. Diabetes is also a major factor: \u2018approximately \u20ac2 billion of the HSE\u2019s annual health budget is spent on diabetes treatment, with very little of this spent on prevention or effective self-management\u2019, says a 2018 report from Diabetes Ireland. Sadly Covid-19 has exacerbated the effects of obesity on health costs: patients with a high BMI suffer significantly more serious illness if infected.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, public health experts have become minor celebrities, but evidence shows that the real public health impacts of planning and transport decisions aren\u2019t adequately taken into account by Councils or planning bodies like NTA (National Transport Authority). No quantified health impact assessment was carried out to support the Liffey Cycle Route\u2019s public consultation procedure, for example. This is despite the fact that the potential benefits of encouraging cycling are clearly shown in repeated studies and scientific papers.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Proposed<\/p>\n

Proposed Liffey Cycle Route, South Quays 2019- Artist’s impression<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cycle Route<\/span><\/p>\n

The Liffey Cycle Route, as published by Dublin City Council in 2019, is designed to provide full separation of cyclists from motor traffic using kerbs and bollards. The route would create new one-way cycle lanes travelling westwards on the south quays, eastwards on the north quays, extending from the Phoenix Park to the Customs House. The Route has a stated budget of \u20ac20m. Construction of new boardwalks, overhanging the river along seven of the quays, would be required.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2019 Dublin City Council commissioned outline designs for the Liffey route from engineering firm Roughan O\u2019Donovan. The Council published these in May 2019 as the \u2018Emerging Preferred Design\u2019. Council then aimed to complete further detailing and seek tenders for the works in 2021; the claimed completion date is 2024. However, during the Covid-19 pandemic temporary, partial works were put in place to allow social distancing for pedestrians and protected space for cyclists (cycling was seen as a more critical transport mode while restrictions applied to public transport). The permanent, \u2018Emerging Preferred\u2019 scheme has had a long gestation: Cycle lanes on the quays have been in Council plans since at least 1997, and the current process was initiated in 2011.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cycling engineers and national and EU design standards require physical separation of cycle lanes (e.g. by bollards or raised kerbs) from motor traffic, to ensure use by regular travellers and commuters who would otherwise be nervous of cycling near motor traffic. Cycling advocacy groups have welcomed the route designs. Prior to Covid-19 restrictions, numbers of people cycling in to Dublin\u2019s \u2018canal cordon\u2019 or inner suburbs for work had already exceeded those using Luas, putting in perspective the hundreds of millions of euro spent on Luas construction. Cycling numbers have remained strong during the pandemic, as people sought exercise and fresh air during lockdown and avoided public transport.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Objections<\/span><\/p>\n

However, carpark owners in Dublin have objected to the plans for the Liffey route, receiving extensive publicity. Objections to the \u2018Emerging Preferred Design\u2019 from an Irish Parking Association were made to Dublin City Council in January 2020, and again in May that year, when the Council began to put in place the temporary Covid-19 measures. <\/span><\/p>\n

Also in May 2020, a representative of the Dublin City Centre Traders Alliance threatened legal action against the temporary works. Noel Smyth of the Alliance claimed (in a letter to Council during Council planning for the temporary Covid-19 work) that reductions in space for private motorists\u2019 vehicles along the quays would suppress spending in the city centre, leading to job losses. Smyth called for decisions on the scheme to be postponed pending analysis of traffic modelling across the overall city. Whether this was a reference to the published Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy is not known. The Alliance claims to represent \u2018some retailers and developers\u2019 in Dublin\u2019s centre.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lowstrand Properties (car park operators) argued during the 2019 consultation process that \u2014 if restrictions on vehicular traffic continues \u2014 then Dublin City Council should compensate car park owners for loss of parking revenue, or even acquire their interests.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile genuine business associations are supportive of the Liffey Cycle Route. Richard Guiney, CEO of central Dublin business group DublinTown, said of the Emerging Design: \u2018This is a welcome development that I think we can all get behind\u2019, and Dublin Chamber’s Graeme McQueen was quoted as saying, \u2018Improved cycle facilities along the Quays are badly needed. The number of people cycling along the Quays has increased sharply in recent years. Indeed, on some stretches of the Quays, the number of cyclists more than doubled between 2012 and 2018. For the most part, people cycling along the Quays at the moment are taking their life in their own hands as they are forced to mix with buses, cars and other vehicles. The introduction of segregated cycle lanes along the Quays will save lives. It will also lead to a further increase in the number of people who cycle in Dublin\u2019. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cycling and active-transport groups made submissions to the permanent design consultation process welcoming the scheme. \u2018The car has been given priority over all other forms of transport for the past 50 years\u2019, according to Clara Clark of Cycling Without Age, for example. Clark requested a ‘reduction in cars as [fewer] cars will reduce pollution, noise, stress, and danger to citizens.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Overview
Overview map- Liffey Cycle Route in Dublin context<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

But genuine business associations approve of the project. Richard Guiney, CEO of central Dublin business group DublinTown, said of the Emerging Design: \u2018This is a welcome development that I think we can all get behind\u2019, and Dublin Chamber’s Graeme McQueen was quoted as saying, \u2018Improved cycle facilities along the Quays are badly needed. The number of people cycling along the Quays has increased sharply in recent years. Indeed, on some stretches of the Quays, the number of cyclists more than doubled between 2012 and 2018. For the most part, people cycling along the Quays at the moment are taking their life in their own hands as they are forced to mix with buses, cars and other vehicles. The introduction of segregated cycle lanes along the Quays will save lives. It will also lead to a further increase in the number of people who cycle in Dublin\u2019.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Calculations<\/span><\/p>\n

The figures were calculated using two methods: one published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and one by the Department of Transport. These are based on standard ‘value of human life’ figures as used by economists and by industries such as insurance. Numbers of potential users of the Liffey Cycle Route were estimated by looking at recently-built cycle routes like the Grand Canal Route, opened in 2012, and at goals set by the City Council and National Transport Authority to increase cycling numbers.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Scenario<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n\n

Current total travellers<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Modal share of cycling predicted\/ potential<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Predicted cyclist numbers<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Dublin City Council goal<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n\n

103,168<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25,792<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

NTA goal<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n\n

103,168<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10,317<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Match citywide 2016 census <\/b><\/span><\/td>\n\n

103,168<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6.7%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6, 912<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Existing DCCCP count 2019<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n\n

103,168<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11,348<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

When protected lanes were completed in 2009 on the busy Grand Canal commuter route, cycling numbers increased by 220% in the first two years of operation. Official goals include a 25% share of trips by cycling (Dublin City Council); 10% share of commuting (National Transport Authority), and the 11% of people already travelling by bike in areas of central Dublin.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Graph
Cyclist counts increased by an average of 220% when the Grand Canal cycleway was completed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Figures derived from the WHO calculation tool showed a benefit-to-cost ratio for the project of 12 to 1 and an economic benefit of \u20ac231m (including benefits from reduced air pollution). Calculations using Irish Department of Transport methods showed 88 lives would be saved, leading to healthcare savings worth \u20ac204m. A 20-year timescale was taken for usage of the route.<\/span><\/p>\n

   <\/p>\n

\"Benefit:
Benefit: cost ratios of large roads projects fall far short of those for the Liffey Cycle Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

The report compared the 12 to 1 benefit-to-cost ratios calculated for the Liffey Cycle Route with ratios of projects like the planned Westport-Turlough N5 and Limerick-Foynes roads, which showed ratios of 2.39 and 1.63 respectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

The study did not take \u2018network effects\u2019 into account. The network effect is where one piece of a network joins up other pieces, making those other pieces more useful in their own right, like the hub in a spoked wheel. In the Dublin Transport Authority\u2019s Cycle Network Plan (2013), nine of the thirteen \u2018primary\u2019 cycle routes intersect the Liffey route. Thus it is likely that the Liffey Route will make it easier for travellers to cycle on many routes other than the western commuter cordon chosen for the study.<\/span><\/p>\n

Getting 10,000 more Dubs to cycle, and multiplying the health benefits over 20 years, will clearly create a health dividend, even if many of those cyclists already take regular exercise or switch to cycling from walking part of their trip (allowed for in WHO predictions). The new cyclists may be exposed to additional air pollution and collision risk, but these health detriments are taken into account. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s hoped that this evidence of substantial economic benefits from the scheme will help reduce further delays to construction, and highlight the value of evidence-based health-impact assessment of transport projects and decisions in future.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Proposed
Proposed Liffey Cycle Route, North Quays 2019- Artist’s impression<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

_____________<\/p>\n

More information\u2014
\n\u2043 Public \u2018obesity epidemic\u2019\u2014 https:\/\/www.rcpi.ie\/news\/publication\/the-race-we-dont-want-to-win\/<\/a>
\n\u2043 Designs for cycle route\u2014 https:\/\/www.dublincity.ie\/main-menu-services-roads-and-traffic-getting-around-bicycle-dublin-city-cycling-development\/liffey<\/a>
\n\u2043 Opposition to cycle route\u2014 https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/news\/environment\/car-park-owners-oppose-pedestrianisation-and-liffey-cycle-measures-1.4251774<\/a>
\n\u2043 Full dissertation (65 pgs.; 8Mb pdf) available; please email Will.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Encouraging Dubliners to cycle more by creating a high-quality route along the Liffey could tackle unhealthy lifestyles, making a substantial contribution to the economy, according to research \u2014 but carpark owners have attempted to obstruct the scheme.   Over \u20ac200m in healthcare costs would be saved by getting Dubs more active and by reducing pollution […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43,20,22,5,7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.willandrewsdesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6553"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.willandrewsdesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.willandrewsdesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.willandrewsdesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.willandrewsdesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6553"}],"version-history":[{"count":66,"href":"http:\/\/www.willandrewsdesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6553\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6952,"href":"http:\/\/www.willandrewsdesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6553\/revisions\/6952"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.willandrewsdesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6553"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.willandrewsdesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6553"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.willandrewsdesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6553"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}