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Sir, I would welcome news of restricting motor vehicles in Dublin city centre and airport if the Government agreed to meet the public halfway and fast-track public transport infrastructure such as the metro and new Luas lines, but that wont happen. My 15km commute to work takes over two hours by public transport and involves multiple buses each way, so the car is my only choice. If the Government were serious about taking cars off the road, they might look at the fact Dublin has the worst public transport of any capital city in Europe. And Im not even mentioning people who live outside Dublin, where the issue isnt the quality of public transport, it is that it doesnt exist. Yours, etc,

STEPHEN OREILLY,

Malahide,

Co Dublin.

A chara, Yesterday morning I took part in the D12 bike bus. About 50 children cycled to Riverview Educate Together National School, as they do nearly every week. The kids love it, and its a healthy, active way to start their day, it takes cars off the road and reduces pollution.

Everyone benefits.

To get to school safely, these children needed an escort of parents, supporters, and garda. There are no protected cycle lanes on their way to school. No provision has been made for their safety.

When were our councils and politicians given a mandate to prioritise cars over the health and happiness of our children? Is mise,

RAY CUNNINGHAM,

Walkinstown,

Dublin 12.

Sir, As a mature citizen far from the first flush of youth, I fear that should I take charge of a two-wheeled vehicle steered by handlebars and propelled by pedals, my safety and that of all whom I might encounter would be at risk.

Surely our emergency departments are under enough pressure. Yours, etc,

CATHERINE

OCONNOR,

Rathgar,

Dublin 6.

Sir, Letter writers seem to think that Dublin City Councils Owen Keegan is trying to turn the city into a Flann OBrien novel with bicycles as the sole mode of transport.

Flann OBriens favourite fictional savant, de Selby, offers an alternative to the bicycle or car because a journey is simply a series of infinitely brief static experiences, you can replicate one by viewing picture postcards of the route and making the appropriate adjustments to your lighting. You then just step out of your room having arrived at your destination. Yours, etc,

TOM POWER,

Cabra,

Dublin 7.

Sir, While not a resident of Dublin, whenever I visit our capital city I am always dismayed by the proliferation of Dublin City and private buses clogging up the city centre emitting noise and fumes, idling in congested traffic and obscuring many of the wonderful facades. I have travelled much in my lifetime and lived in foreign cities; elsewhere public transport systems have been efficient, quiet, reliable and far less obtrusive, be they underground or overground.

While the debate about cycle lanes and decreasing motor traffic continues, I believe that our focus should be on providing citizens with a far cleaner and reliable public transport system which will reduce the reliance on cars. Yours, etc,

MARTIN KRASA,

Cork.

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Local democracy and restricting cars - Dublin - The Irish Times