Trishaws on Dun Laoghaire East Pier
Motion: Councillor M. Baker
That this Committee requests that trishaws when used as a mobility device, providing
inclusive cycling experiences for people with disabilities and older adults who have mobility
issues allowing them to enjoy the outdoors and the feeling of cycling, can be used on the East
Pier in Dun Laoghaire at anytime of the day.
Report:
Dún Laoghaire Harbour Bye-Law No. 63 states:
63(b) The cycling of bicycles is permitted daily in the East Pier’s lower level from sunrise to
1300 hours
To permit any vehicle (bicycle, tricycle, trishaw) on the pier would require a change in the
Harbour Byelaws.
The East Pier is one of the busiest pedestrian promenades in Ireland. The reason for the
prohibition on cycling outside of these times is primarily in place to ensure the Health and
Safety of both pedestrians and cyclists.
Cycling and use of other vehicles is prohibited on the upper level as it is relatively narrow,
with an unprotected drop on the Harbour side down onto the lower level.
Cycling is permitted on the lower level from sunrise to 13:00 daily and prohibited thereafter
as the East Pier is generally busier with pedestrians from 13:00 onwards. At certain points,
and particularly around and beyond the ramp midway down the Pier, the lower level is very
narrow, and the unprotected edge leads to a drop into deep water where there is a proven
risk of drowning. Unlike a footpath through a park, or alongside a road, there is no option for
pedestrians to step off to the side to allow a vehicle through. The risks in the marine
environment are substantially higher than in other areas.
Trishaws are at least twice as wide as a bicycle, thereby greatly increasing the potential risk
to other pier users.
The Draft Harbour Masterplan proposes a dual-purpose coastal protection measure, which will
double as an active travel/cycle route on the back of the pier. Once constructed, all cyclists,
including trishaws will be able to safely travel the length of the East Pier without causing any
risk to pedestrians.
In the interests of Health and Safety, it is strongly recommended not to alter the current byelaw
until the new coastal protection/active travel element is constructed.
I received support from fellow councillors for my motion. I subsequently met with the Harbour Operations Manager and representatives from Cycling without Age/Bike Hub Dun Laoghaire to discuss further. It was agreed that trishaws may cycle on the East Pier from Monday to Friday, (excluding Bank Holiday Mondays) all day long, but without accompanying cyclists after 1pm.