Sometimes the road is the better option. Which was why so many had a problem with compulsory cycle lanes. Certainly for much of my route it the faster better option.
But to make cycling and other options accessible to others especially the inexperienced, options other than road are needed. We don't need to reinvent the wheel on this, other countries have already done it.
Layouts like that in Swords have to stop. They need to do it properly.