Regarding the proposed NCN upgrade of the R448 as outlined here, considering this is classified as a National upgrade, it beggars believe that the planners would recommend the scheme with its current design. The entire intent of the NCN plan should be to encourage a modal shift away from Motorised transport to self-propelled transport - hence the investment in (what should be safe) Cycle Lanes. This is the core premise of the NCN, and its alignment with our National Climate plan.

This proposal does the absolute opposite to this - and treats the cyclist as a second class citizen, akin to a pedestrian, forcing any cyclist travelling on the main route (R448) to:

1. Stop
2. Dismount
3. Check
4. Walk across
5. Remount
6. Continue journey to the next yield point.

..........At least 8 times in the road section mapped for upgrade.

The output of this proposal will be:

1. To reduce the road space / hard shoulder available for all traffic
2. Force cyclists to remain on the now narrowed R448 (and not use the cycle lane)
3. Frustrate motorist’s unnecessarily
4. Endanger cyclists in whichever option they choose to travel this section of road:
   1. To encounter unnecessary danger at each of the 8 crossing points of the 4 secondary roads intersecting with R448, if they choose to use the proposed but virtually useless cycle lane.
   2. To encounter danger from frustrated motorists if they choose to remain on the main carriageway of R448, which is, unfortunately, probably the safest option, and the one that most cyclists will choose.

The alternatives to this proposal to consider include:

1. Leave the route as it is today, it will likely be safer than the proposed design.
2. Prioritise the cyclist movement on the R448, by simply adding STOP Line and STOP sign before the Cycle Lane of the R448 transverses the minor arterial routes.

Other considerations

1. Has the council studied the current cycling use on this road? What is the volume? Is it generally single cyclists or groups of cyclists?
2. The design proposed is dreadful for individual cyclists, but completely unusable for groups of cyclists (likely the main volume of cyclists on this route)

Other thoughts / questions ?

1. Has the proposal been reviewed with Cycling Ireland, or any other cycling body?
2. What cycling body or cycling safety engineering consultancy has proposed the route design?

I am raising these concerns as a 'Commuter Cyclist' who cycles approximately 10,000km per annum. I make a personal choice to cycle to work most days (70km round trip) for a combination of health and contribution to our climate battle. While the comments and thoughts here are my own, I am also a member of Naas Cycling Club, and the Safeguarding Officer for this club. We have c.175 active cycling members, many of whom use this route periodically. This issue has been raised by multiple members as a concern also.