I live at the end of the Ballinacurra Road, just opposite the junction with the SCR. I strongly support the proposal for a number of reasons:
1). In the 10 years I have lived here, there has been a steady increase in the number of e-scooters and bikes travelling on the footpath of the Ballinacurra Road, going between town and Dooradoyle. This will only continue to grow over the coming years. There are safety issues with this, both for pedestrians on the path and for those on the scooters and bikes who are at risk of getting hit by cars pulling out of driveways. This plan will provide a continuous cycleway from Dooradoyle to the city centre, which should solve this problem.
2). My family and I cycle to work and school daily. While my wife and I brave the traffic, our kids must use the footpath, which is far from ideal. We want our kids to grow up in an area where they can be independent, and travel safely to school and other activities by bike.
3). A lot of the traffic on the Ballinacurra Road in the mornings is generated by parents dropping kids to school. I know from speaking to other parents that many would like their children to cycle to school but don't feel it is safe. Providing a safe cycle route to the many schools on or near the SCR will reduce the number of people driving to schools in the morning, clogging up the roads.
The plan will encourage cycling, reduce school traffic, take e-scooters and bikes off the footpaths, and give children greater independence.