Northern Ireland Archives

Northern Ireland

Phone driver who sent two WhatsApp messages seconds before killing cyclist in “prolonged episode of bad driving” set to serve one year in prison

Nicole McGeown had also veered onto the grass verge twice in the moments before she rammed into cyclist Ronald Walker, and claimed she was distracted by an overtaking motorist. She has been banned from driving for four years

Cyclist riding past Belfast cycle lane blocked by parked cars for government cycle to work video

“Taxis using bus lanes only serve to endanger cyclists”: Cycling campaigners slam “hidden” consultation to extend “dangerous” and controversial trial

Northern Ireland's Department for Infrastructure allowed taxi drivers to use some Belfast bus lanes over Christmas to ease congestion, but campaigners say it "risks making things even worse" by "clogging up" routes "with more drivers"

Cyclist riding past Belfast cycle lane blocked by parked cars for government cycle to work video (Department for Infrastructure)

Allowing taxis in bus lanes over Christmas a “huge step backwards” that will “put cyclists at risk”, say cycling campaigners

Cyclists say “clogging up bus lanes with more drivers”, as part of attempts to ease congestion in Belfast, will “risk making things even worse” in a city with a “serious lack of safe cycle routes”

A2 Clooney Road, Ballykelly (Google Maps)

£2.6m investment in new cycle lane is “misleading” and actually funding road resurfacing for drivers, report suggests

Northern Ireland's Department for Infrastructure claims "sole objective to improve" cycling and walking routes so "significant" cost will be "met from active travel budget" — but questions have been asked about why works also include road "resurfacing"

Cycle lane parking in Belfast (credit – Dominic Bryan, Twitter)

Government “prioritising active travel over safety”, claims councillor – who says new bike lane was so wide “I thought it was a dual carriageway they were building!”

Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure, which this week launched its new long-term Active Travel Delivery Plan, pointed out that cycling and walking schemes “can also improve safety”

Queen’s University Belfast cycle parking facilities (QUB)

Students claim lack of car parking is harming their studies – but university tells them to try cycling to class

Last month, Queen’s University Belfast opened three new on-campus cycle parking facilities as part of ongoing active travel efforts – but students say they’ve walked into lectures an hour late because “there’s no place to park”

Belfast’s Grand Central Station (Twitter: North Belfast Cycle Campaign)

“Disappointed” cyclists forced to lock bikes on outdoor railings as Belfast’s new Grand Central Station opens with no cycle parking provisions

“This suggests that active travel is not a central part of this new transport hub,” said Belfast Cycling Campaign, as Translink confirms that it’s “sourcing” temporary cycle parking to install

Orica GreenEdge ride the opening team time trial of the 2014 Giro d’Italia in the Stormont Estate, Belfast (Graham Watson)

Politician slams “cop out” as Ireland’s cross-border Tour de France bid scrapped amid funding issues and political uncertainty at Stormont

The Grand Départ bid, which was criticised by active travel campaigners in Northern Ireland, has been withdrawn due to the lack of a functioning government – but one MLA says the project should still go ahead to leave a “lasting cycling legacy”

Boy throwing golf ball at cyclist, Belfast (Twitter: @anneramsey)

“Who would want to hurt an older lady cyclist?”: Two boys injure cyclist by throwing golf ball at her

UPDATE: Having viewed the CCTV footage available the police said they would not be able to identify the culprits

New barriers vandalised on Belfast cycle lane (Steve Roy, Twitter)

New barriers on infamous ‘car park’ cycle lane vandalised, as councillor calls for “robust” protection “before someone gets seriously hurt”

Plastic bolt down barriers were introduced as a trial two weeks ago on the much-maligned city centre bike lane, which the government claimed would now be “inaccessible to cars”