A bike rack has been installed in a loading bay that was also previously used for outdoor dining outside LGBTQ+ bar Street 66, during Pride Month no less.

On Monday, Street 66 launched a petition to remove a bike rack that was installed outside their premises in the loading bay on Parliament Street. Previously, this space was used for deliveries and outdoor dining. The owner, Siobhán Comny applied for a renewal of the venue’s outdoor furniture license in October and even hired a company to map out architectural drawings for the council, but the application was refused on Friday and the bike rack was installed on Monday. This is despite a recent announcement that the street is to be pedestrianised at the weekends from July through to the end of August.

Critics of the decision note that the move greatly affects one of the very few queer spaces in the city and it’s especially tone deaf during pride month. Moreover, the owners noted that it’s a potential tripping hazard, it makes deliveries more difficult for lorries and given that there are others close-by, one outside their premises is unnecessary.

In the description of the petition, Siobhán said, “We applied for an outdoor furniture license at Street 66 as we had for 2 years during Covid. I renewed  as usual. I’ve been on to Dublin City Council since October and been fobbed off. I was told to reapply in January when we hired a company to draw out a map professionally. After calling for weeks I Called last Friday and told we were refused and received no reason and this morning one working day later a bike rack has been out on the loading bay outside a busy premises we have had no chance to appeal.”

The online petition, set up on Monday, is currently sitting on 5,290 signatures calling for Dublin City Council to remove the racks.

Click here to sign the petition.

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