CYCLE lanes and where to put them seem to be a constant source of contention the past few weeks in Dublin.

Just recently, cyclists were dismayed when the NTA shelved plans for a new €20million cycle path along the quays, when no agreement on what route the path should take was reached by Dublin City Council after five years.

3 More than 95,000 people cycle to work every day in Dublin

Then the ongoing palaver concerning the €7million cycle route, which had originally put some of the city’s oldest trees in danger, took a surprising turn when councillors agreed to reduce traffic to one lane in one of the busiest parts of the city, saving the trees but potentially causing chaos in what is a rush-hour bottle neck.

According to Councillor Damian O’Farrell, any suggestion to put this cycle way along the inside of Fairview Park was completely ignored, and the ‘new’ plan to remove a traffic lane was voted to be not up for discussion.

With more than 95,000 Dubliners cycling to work every day, why is it that constructing safe, well located cycle lanes is so hard to do?

Colm Walsh, the owner of Yoga Dublin, recently took part in the ­I Bike Dublin cycle lane protection protests.

He says he and his kids often are forced out into the road when cars illegally are parked in cycles lanes.

He cannot understand the ongoing poor cycling infrastructure and the lack of priority the Government gives to sustainable traffic solutions.

Other road users are not the only danger to cycling.

3 The number of people choosing to bike in Dublin has doubled since 2011 and continues to grow but where are our safe cycle lanes?

Luas tracks are also a concern, with cyclists being left to educate themselves on where will no longer be safe to pedal.

Dublin Cycling Campaign secretary Colm Ryder believes while the Luas “is a very positive change to the city, the issues concerning cyclists were not envisaged, and they would now have to educate themselves on where now will or wont be safe to cycle”.

The number of people choosing to bike in Dublin has doubled since 2011 and continues to grow.

3 Venetia Quick of Q102

Why is it so hard to allow them a little bit of space to cycle safely?