I read years ago (cant remember the exact city or country)that whenever there are changes to road lay outs, traffic signals etc , they ask the very people who work the streets (no not those kind). ie taxi drivers/ truck drivers/bus drivers etc.
Here, its just a diktat,from Dublin city Council, no consultation with any of the above groups.
The cycle lobby in recent years have become very vocal and quite powerful.
Not only have they blocked streets, ILLEGALLY (Sth William St and Liffey St being a case in point ) but the Gards did nothing about it. In fact a then Green councillor (now TD) actively helped blocked both streets.
The cycle lobby want everyone to cycle, they have no regard for "real life".
I questioned one of the leaders of this lobby,when it was muted that College Green would be car free.
I asked him what about the 2 taxi ranks that are there, what about drivers trying to make a living.
His response was, and I quote, "I couldnt give s shit about taxi drivers".
and we're supposedly (taxi drivers) the bad guys ?
Similarly drivers like you and me couldn't give a shit about punters or how they get from A to B during a pandemic. The trade itself (not just you, drivers and bosses) have highlighted how unsafe travel by taxi is hence it makes sense to reduce reliance on taxis by promoting safer, healthier, environmentally friendlier alternatives such as cycling, electric scooters / rickshaws, walking and car sharing. The new normal can't be the same as the old normal... apart from pubs, that is.