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Irish Cycling Campaign at Velo-City Ghent 2024

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Irish Cycling Campaign, formerly Cyclist.ie, has been sending delegates to ECF’s Velo-city International cycling planning conference since the 1990s, and we were delighted to be represented at its latest edition held in June 2024. 

It took place in the wonderful bicycle friendly city of Ghent in Belgium and was the largest Velo-city yet held with over 1650 registered delegates from 60 different countries. In this report, Mairéad Forsythe (ICC Chairperson), Will Andrews (ICC Exec Committee member) and Damien Ó Tuama (National Cycling Coordinator with ICC & An Taisce) share some reflections on the four day event.  

Just some of the delegates’ parked bicycles at Velo-city 2024 

Opening ceremony and plenary

Henk Swarttouw, President of the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), stressed the value of the European Declaration on Cycling that was adopted in April 2024 (as reported on by ECF here). This declaration will impact how global bodies such as the World Health Organisation, World Bank and the International Monetary Fund see cycling infrastructure as an essential part of transport. The declaration sees cycling as “the most sustainable, accessible and inclusive, low-cost and healthy forms of transport and recreation, and its key importance for European society and economy”. Kudos to the ECF for its incredibly valuable lobbying work on this over several years. 

Mairéad, Damien and Henk (from ECF) 

Janette Sadik-Kahn’s (former Transport Commissioner for New York City) gave an inspirational opening speech. She clarified that there’s an ongoing ‘fight’ for space on city streets – but, additionally, that New York City’s Mayor gained great popular support for the bike lane / pedestrian plaza / bike-share measures that were introduced. She shared statistics showing that in New York improved bicycle infrastructure was responsible for a 49% increase in retail sales; the corresponding figures for London and Tokyo were 30% and 20% respectively. She referenced the cities of London and Paris where, in both places, more people now make journeys by bike than by car. This certainly wasn’t the case a decade or two ago. Further (less obvious) leaders are cities such as Bogota, Bratislava, Tirana, Brussels, Arnhem and even Austin in Texas. Cities are seeing cycling as essential infrastructure. 

Janette Sadik-Kahn speaking in the main plenary session venue

Will Butler Adams, Brompton’s CEO for the last 18 years, spoke about the utter inefficiency of individuals in ever larger cars moving about (very slowly) in cities within 2.5 tonnes of enclosed metal boxes. He argued for cycling to be sold as a fun, diverse and interesting way to experience urban travel. 

There was also a lovely suggestion (by one of the plenary speakers) for engineers to use periscopes in a reverse orientation so as to be able to see the street from a child’s perspective – particularly in the context of ever larger Sports Utility Vehicles dominating many city streets.  

Ghent Deputy Mayor

Ghent’s deputy mayor Filip Watteeuw explained how the 50% of through traffic was discouraged in their 2017 circulation plan and that the city is now greener, safer and more liveable (see below). This came after decades of car dominance where only the residual space was given over to cycling. He told us how new improvements in the infrastructure had led to a significant increase in the cycling modal share (see also below). And that there is a new word in the Oxford dictionary “Ghentify” meaning to improve the quality of life through cycling infrastructure. He posed the rhetorical question: how would Ghent look if the 30%+ of trips currently made by bike were to be made by private car?

In regard to Velo-city itself, he argued that it’s about gaining strength and stubbornness for the next battles for street space! 

Ghent Circulation Plan Technical Tour by Tim from City admin

Each year at Velo-City, there are ‘technical tours’ of local places and of new infrastructural interventions of interest. One of the most popular this year focussed on Ghent’s Circulation Plan which reduced through-traffic in the city. The plan was initiated over a weekend in 2017, with 80 streets changing the direction of traffic and 2,500 signs changed within the central area bounded by the F40 peripheral road. The parallels with Dublin’s currently debated City Centre Transport Plan were striking.

The photo (below) shows Tim, the municipality employee and leader of the technical tour, with his diagram of how the city works for private motor traffic before and after the implementation of the Circulation Plan. On the diagram to the left in his hand (under his jacket sleeve), you can see that motor traffic could – beforehand – go from the outer ring towards the centre of the city and onto a central ring, which could be circled fully; Tim’s right-hand diagram – now – shows motor traffic that enters from any point in the outside peripheral road, the F40, is unable to go around the inner ring; you can only go a little way round before being diverted back out again. The city is divided into six ‘sections’ and, as a motorist, you only have access to one of these from the outer ring. But as a public transport user or cyclist or pedestrian, there entire city centre is permeable and quick to traverse.  

As part of the Circulation Plan, the existing pedestrian area of 25 hectares, created in 1997, was doubled in size. Additionally, months before the plan’s introduction, in 2017, a 30km/h limit was introduced in the wider city area. The Circulation Plan itself saw the approximately 50% of motor traffic, that was just passing through the centre, stopped. Cameras log the registration plates of cars and fine those not permitted (loading, taxis etc. are exempted) €58. This is a traffic fine, rather than a congestion fee. The photo here shows one of the cameras complete with a warning sign.

Tim told us that in the years since the plan was introduced, car sharing schemes have been ‘booming’, and car ownership levels consistently dropping. Priority has been retained for bicycles, leading to a 50% increase in cyclists in the central, F40-bound area.

Traffic, tram and bus monitoring was carried out 6 months before and 6 months after implementation, and is repeated every 3 years accompanied by transport surveys and user diaries. Tim told us that users still report some delays and slowness for trams + buses. On some narrow streets, cycling is limited to before 11am and after 6pm. The photo here shows the signs mandating this.

After the implementation of the plan, there was 96% drop in motor traffic levels at one particular junction, and 92% at another. We visited these places, and the quietness and peace was remarkable; it must be lovely for the residents overlooking these pleasant streets.

Furthermore, there has been a 50% increase in cyclists in the central, F40-bound area. Collisions and injuries also both decreased. Finally, since the zone is also a low-emission zone, enforced by camera, air quality – measured at several stations throughout the zone –  has improved by 32%. 

It’s the biggest car-free area in Belgium, and benefits from very proactive parking management. Ghentians are naturally very proud of their circulation plan.

You can read more about the Ghent Circulation Plan on its official website here https://samenvoorzuiverelucht.eu/en/inspiratie/ghent-circulation-plan 

And this is all very relevant for Dublin, of course, where a much more modest traffic circulation plan has been agreed by Dublin City Council but is now under threat from vested interests (mainly in the form of car park owners). For more on the relevance of the Belgian example for Dublin, see this article on the Dublin Cycling Campaign website https://www.dublincycling.com/cycling/ghent-diverted-massive-through-traffic-dublin-can-too. 

A photo taken on technical tour showing the covered-over / infilled canal that was contrasted with the current situation with the canal exposed / in place again – and with the old office building now being converted into social housing. 

Leading Cycling Campaigning Organisations

For Damien, one of the most inspiring talks was given by Roxanne de Beaux, the CEO of Cambridge Cycling Campaign. Roxanne (pictured below) is one of eight employees in the organisation and they are soon to grow to (at least) 10 staff members. The organisation has around 1700 paid members, but with a very effective fundraising committee that has allowed the organisation to grow its paid professional staff complement over the years. Their mission is to build influence and authority with expert knowledge. She described the organisation as being “relentless” in delivering high quality submissions on all of the relevant consultations in Cambridge, and in developers being extremely keen to talk to them before submitting planning applications so that the active travel elements have been thought through carefully before proposals are finalised and sent to the local authorities. 

Plenary session on communcations and messaging 

There was an interesting concluding discussion about how we communicate and think about promoting cycling. Brian Bell from Strava, Grant Ennis (author of ‘Dark PR – How Corporate Disinformation Harms our Health and the Environment – and you might like to check out this web discussion entitled Dark PR: how the road lobby has framed death as normal), public engagement specialist Jamie Clark and Sarah Mitchell, CEO of Cycling UK, had varying views on what messages to emphasise. 

All agreed that fighting mis- and dis-information needs our focus and ongoing learning. While it’s impossible to predict which myths and stories will ‘catch fire’, we can be vigilant in counteracting myths with evidence and clear communications.

We need to investigate the stereotypes. To include non-traditional cycle users and those outside our usual culture is critical, while understanding the cultural conversations going on: Culture leads while politics and policies follow (although we note that all four panellists were from the English-speaking world!). Advocating without understanding the audience is futile, so listening is just as important as putting out our messages.

Grant concluded by reminding us we need to keep publicising and communicating our specific demands, seeking real political change, keeping going, and repeating as long as necessary.

Giant Bicycle Parade

An annual feature of Velo-City is a huge parade made up of the delegates and local people.

This year the Parade had 3,000 participants with much enthusiastic participation by local cycling groups and engagement along the route including dancing, a brass band, and even a mock ‘anti-cycling’ protest reminiscent of those against immigration. You can get a sense of the event from the Street Films produced short film here: 


And with some further images here:

Mairéad getting ready to be chauffeured around at the parade!

We are not sure what the correct technical name is for this semi-reversed tandem recumbent that seems uniquely designed to make for easy chats between the riders – but lovely to see such a diversity of cycles and cyclists on the parade! 

It was also lovely to see this piano and pianist bearing quadricycle on the parade

Further sessions

Other sessions covered bike theft (and bike registration), funding for cycling, health benefits of cycling, including a Dutch group who believe and work to achieve “safe cycling until you’re 100”. There were lots of mentions of cities who had introduced 30 km/h speed limits to make their streets safer. There was an interesting talk from Belgium where the Cycling Policy provides for every Minister to promote cycling, with 52 cross-Departmental actions to improve cycling (including getting more bikes on trains). 

Our National Cycling Coordinator Damien contributed to an interesting discussion touching on politics and cycling (pictured). Eline Oftedal, CEO of Norwegian Cyclists’ Association, told us to reach out to those with more right-wing beliefs, emphasising the individuality of cycling, and keeping doors open for discussion and debate. Emil Christensen of Denmark agreed that both left and right wings of politics support cycling as a policy, though it can compete with other priorities. There was agreement that we must live with the current political reality. Meanwhile Duncan Dollimore, Head of Campaigns with Cycling UK, stressed the need to emphasise the wider benefits that cycling friendly places give rise to — such as improved public health for all and lower health care costs for society, reduced congestion that everyone benefits from and more liveable towns and cities – rather than talking so much about cycling per se.

Panellists at the session on ‘Making the benefits of cycling an election issue’, moderated by Froso Christofides, ECF’s Director for Members & Networks (on the left)

We were intrigued to hear hand-cycle user Isabelle Clement of Wheels for Wellbeing whose disability doesn’t keep her from advocating for active transport. She claimed that the world of disabled people has been told that the car is the ‘only way to travel’ and further said this was a form of ‘brainwashing’ and that, in the UK, anti-LTN (Low Traffic Neighbourhood) groups had ‘used and abused’ the disabled community in their efforts to maintain car use. Interesting to hear. Isabelle called on us to listen to the most excluded when planning or advocating on transport measures.

The best aspect of Velo-city was the opportunity to network and meet people from around the world, both cycling advocates and officials from local and national governments. We also met old friends and made new friends among the strong delegations of officials from the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Fingal, Dublin City and Cork County Councils (amongst other delegates from Ireland). Michelle Murphy of Dublin City Council set out the vision here of 95% of the population living within 400m of high-quality cycle network. Bring it on, we say!

The central reception area had stands representing everything from the Dutch Cycling Embassy, to ECF, commercial commodities and e-bikes, e-bikes, and more e-bikes. The future seems to be in e-bikes, with more e-bikes than acoustic bikes sold in Europe in the last few years. 

That said, one of the main themes of the conference was around the challenges of accommodating different types of cycles and cyclists on our infrastructure. There is is a fast-growing cohort of quick-moving e-bikes and other forms of mobility, but we must not forget the value of slow-moving, non-powered cycles. A related overarching theme of the event was inclusivity – we must strengthen efforts to include those who are less able, whether through different ages, income levels, physical or mental ability, ethnicity or choice of cycle.

Final Comments

Our Irish Cycling Campaign team from Velo-city is still digesting the mountains of knowledge and ideas garnered at this year’s conference. After further reflections, this will feed into additional articles to be posted here over the coming weeks and months, including perhaps some observations from the rail and sail and Eurostar Brompton journeys of Damien and Will to travel to and from Ghent. We might also convey the Velo-city 2024 ideas via a special online webinar where we will invite more of the Irish delegates attending the conference. 

In the meantime, you can find more information on the Velo City website which lists speakers, session themes etc. And you can read the daily reports from the four days of Velo-city here:

Velo-city 2024 Ghent: Tuesday Daily Report 
Velo-city 2024 Ghent: Wednesday Daily Report 
Velo-city 2024 Ghent: Thursday Daily Report
Velo-city 2024 Ghent: Friday Daily Report  

The next edition of Velo-city will take place in Gdansk in Poland in 2025 and we hope to be able to send an Irish Cycling Campaign delegation there. More again about this. 

Dublin, EU Posts, International Posts, Irish Posts, Uncategorized

Team Erasmus hosted by Irish Cycling Campaign!

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The hosts of the previous Erasmus+ Generations Cycling for Inclusion and Climate Action project trips that Irish Cycling Campaign took part in set incredibly high standards with their stimulating programmes and by looking after their guests so well, so we were a little nervous in ICC in devising a Dublin programme that could match the quality of the previous ones. We were keen to ensure that everyone had rich and educational experiences of our capital city and surrounds.

But with the help of many fabulous volunteers from ICC – and, in particular, members of our Local Group, Dublin Cycling Campaign – we assembled a diverse programme that responded to the four big themes of the project: climate action, sustainable transport, social inclusion and intergenerational collaborations. 

In this article, four of our active volunteers – Damien, Allison, Phil and Hugh – each provide a summary of the four core days of the programme, with further inputs and photographs shared by other ICC members.

There are many to thank for their support with the programme, but we wish to pay a special thanks to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, James Geoghegan, for his warm welcome to the city, and also to the staff of Dublin City Council for the loan of their Cycling Without Age trishaw which made a massive difference in terms of making our events fully inclusive for all of the Erasmus participants.

Friday 11 Oct [Damien Ó Tuama and Allison Roberts]

The Tailors’ Hall Session
The Dublin leg kicked off in the lovely Tailors’ Hall on Back Lane after the visitors walked (and wheeled) their way over from the Generator Hostel on Smithfield Square where the group of 45 persons stayed.   

Mairéad Forsythe, Chairperson of Irish Cycling Campaign, gave the formal welcome on behalf of ICC. She was followed by ICC’s National Cycling Coordinator, Damien Ó Tuama, who shared some of the history of the 300+ year old Tailors’ Hall, and introduced the group to the work of An Taisce and Irish Cycling Campaign. He also gave the group some insights into what’s happening with the Active Travel plans in Dublin City, and into the latest news on the development of the capital’s cycle facilities (as shown on the map below, kindly provided by the City Council).

Hugh and Chifly with the latest iteration of the Dublin City Cycle Network map

Following this local scene setting, each of the six partner organisations who had travelled to Dublin gave a mini-update on the latest news from their cities and towns.  

Students from IES Alhama introducing their school and the latest news from Corella

Crucial to any visitor landing into Ireland is getting a grasp of the local lingo, and Hugh Raftery from Dublin Cycling Campaign shared some essential Hiberno-English phrases and descriptors of the Irish weather as shown here.

Hugh with the first of his posters listing the essential descriptors for the types of rainy conditions that students might encounter on their trip

The morning session concluded with two very interesting presentations which responded squarely to two of the overarching themes of the project.

Firstly, Przemek and Greg from Merchants Quay Ireland spoke to the students and the teachers about the work their organisation does. In essence, Merchants Quay Ireland, a registered charity that supports people affected by homelessness and addiction, offers food, advice, health care, mental health support and addiction services. It offers accessible and effective services in a non-judgemental and compassionate way. 

The second mini-workshop was delivered by Solene from Voice, an Irish environmental charity that empowers individuals and local communities to take positive action to conserve our natural resources. Solene, pictured below, is working on the ”Fabric of Change” project, which is all about helping consumers understand the impact of their clothing choices on the environment, and empowering them to make more sustainable decisions. The attendees certainly came away from her session with a much clearer understanding of how fashion is one of the most polluting industries worldwide, creating major social and environmental issues.  

Solene Schirrer from Voice

A Walking Tour of the City with Alita
Irish Cycling Campaign was thrilled to have Alita Rivero to lead the walking tour of Dublin City. Alita is an Argentinian Dubliner who produced and edited the monthly Dublin Cycling Campaign newsletter for almost 10 years, and has a wonderful knowledge of the lanes and lore of the city. The group sampled many slices of the city as shown in some of the photos below. 

Alita Rivera (on the right) leading the walking tour at St. Patrick’s Park – Photo Credit – Biciclistas De Corella

The walking tour included a quick visit to Drury Street Bicycle Parking Facility – Photo Credit – Biciclistas De Corella

A mini-stop on the Millennium Bridge – Photo Credit – Biciclistas De Corella

The trishaw and Bloomin Crumlin’s e-cargo bike made everything easier for our tour around the city – Photo Credit – Biciclistas De Corella

Dinner in Blas Café (Allison)
We gathered at the Blas café (located in an old chocolate factory!) for our evening dinner, and were greeted with Irish tunes played by Brendan (on the uilleann pipes) and Joe (on guitar) – as pictured below. Hassan, our host and chef, put out canapes of little breads with beetroot hummus and then a buffet for us all to dig in. Everyone was hungry! The potatoes, chickpeas and salad (and chicken for the meat lovers) were all delicious, as were the dips, yoghurt and jalapeno. Definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been there! See https://www.blascafe.ie/. 

Joe and Brendan entertaining the guests

A live sample from the session – Footage kindly provided by Karen Keogh from Newtown School

After dinner, we headed back to the Generator Hostel, where Ari and I were able to bunk in with Libya and Aroa, teachers from the Estella team. 

Hugh and Damien receiving home grown melons from villa Maria and other edible gifts from Corella! 

Saturday 12 Oct – Cycle Tour to Howth via Mud Island & Bull Island Nature Reserve [Allison]

On Saturday we woke early and enjoyed a buffet breakfast in the basement of the Generator hostel. Ari & I had brought up Clon Bike Fest t-towels which we had just enough for all the teachers and adults 🙂  

Clockwise from front left – Ari, Chifly, Margarida, Edmundo, Tono and Cristina

At 9am we headed outside where rental bikes arrived from Irish Cycling Safaris (thanks Marion!) and River Cycles (thank you Paul!). The students and teachers chose their bikes and took a lap of the square to check the fit and brakes! Between the crew staying at the Generator Hostel and the 15+ Irish Cycling Campaign marshals, we had a full team of around 60 of us on bikes ready for the trip. Ari & I opted to marshall the rear of the bike convoy, along with Paul Corcoran from ICC on his cargo bike.

A brief encounter with Luke Kelly en route! – Photo – Biciclistas de Corella

Alita from Dublin Cycling Campaign – Photo – Biciclistas de Corella

We wove our way east alongside the Liffey and navigated lots of traffic lights, buses and drivers. When we reached the Convention Centre, we headed north towards our first stop at Mud Island Community Gardens. We spent about two hours at the gardens, looking around and learning about the project and the various wild herbs there as well as all around Ireland – from the importance of beauty and roses in treating shock (they were used as decoration for post-traumatic stress centers post war for soldiers), to alder as an important anti-bacterial, nettles as an important activator for the lymphatic system, and plantain as the best cure for nettle stings and good for healing wounds and digestive health!

Ari and I are still talking about the man who gave us the tour (Aaron Foley) and how he rubbed nettles all over his arms saying “they are only painful because we have been taught to think that” while he was covered in stings! After we got back to Clonakilty, Ari got a bunch of nettle stings and tried out the “it doesn’t really hurt it only tingles” tactic and it seemed to work!  

Aaron Foley explains the importance of biodiversity in our world – Photo by Allison

Playtime in Mud Island with Danielle and Snoobles (Photo by Denis)

We learnt that the Mud Island Community garden was on an old dumping ground and only after years of appeals to the Council was it handed over to become a community garden. It now thrives as a social and inclusive space run completely by volunteers. After the tour, we had a load of sandwiches delivered from the nearby Cloud Café and set off then to continue onwards on our cycle.

We headed north along the City Centre to Clontarf cycle route and then onto the coastal cycleway. This was a great easy and flat cycle – with one good downpour that soaked us all but then the sun came straight out again! Next stop was Bull Island – an area of particular national importance for its dunes and biodiversity. We were very grateful to have with us Karin Dubsky, the Coordinator of Coastwatch Ireland, and Dave Tilly, a very knowledgeable local man with a particular understanding of how the intertidal zone functions and changes. So many birds and other creatures depend on the dunes there for food and nesting.

Ari and I had to then cut our visit short and we made our way for the last few kilometres to Howth for a Dart to Tara Street, and then cycled back west along the Liffey, and onto the train back to Cork!

Bull Island sea shells – Photo – Biciclistas de Corella

En route on the coastal cycleway – Photo Credit – Biciclistas De Corella

Photo Credit – Damien Ó Tuama

Meanwhile the rest of the Erasmus gang finished up their tour with Karin and David, and made their way to Howth for fish and chips at Wrights of Howth. After the bikes were collected, the crew continued their multi-modal day’s journeys by DART back to the city and then by foot (and tram) to the Generator.  

A big thanks from Irish Cycling Campaign to all of our marshals who helped out over the course of the day. They were: Alina, Alita, Allison, Ciarán, Damien, Deirdre, Denis, Hugh, Mairéad, María, Patrick, Paul, Phil, Rory and Siobhán. 

Sunday 13 Oct – Wicklow Day [Phil]

Nine AM was our pick-up time to be brought by coach to visit Beyond the Trees in the Avondale Estate in Co. Wicklow. The morning was overcast and pretty cold for a mid October day, so being well wrapped up was a good call.

Avondale House and Estate is the birthplace of Irish independence pioneer, Charles Stuart Parnell. It is also the home of Samuel Hayes, a man ahead of his time. Not only did he write Ireland’s first book devoted to trees, but he also realised that the native forests of Ireland were disappearing. He knew the solution was in afforestation and managing woodlands, so he set about creating a forest park on his land. After nearly 300 years since Hayes’ time, many of the trees survive today and are in a healthy and mature state. It’s through this forest where a 1.4km long treetop walk and viewing tower has recently been built and where we began our guided tour.

Photo – Phil Murray

Beautifully constructed from locally sourced wood, the treetop walk has a gentle gradient but at its peak is 23 metres off the forest floor. It’s designed to be fully accessible for all ages and abilities. One of the elderly members of our party who has mobility issues availed of a wheelchair provided by the guide.

As we made our way along we were told stories of the history of the estate as well as the forest and wildlife. Bats were found living in the attic of the estate house during renovations. As a protected species, provision was made to allow the bats to easily get in and out via small openings in the sloped roof. We also learned of the reintroduction of birds of prey such as the red kite and the return of the red squirrel – the native Irish squirrel that was pushed out by the invasive grey squirrel. It is believed that the hunting skills of the pinemartins have reduced grey squirrel numbers and thus allowed the red squirrel to regain its territory.

At the end of the walkway we arrived at the spectacular 38m high viewing tower. This huge and impressive structure – like the walkway – used locally sourced timber and was accessed by a gently sloping walk-way. 11 levels up to the top and we were met with a beautiful autumnal view of the local Avondale forest, rolling green fields and distant mountain peaks. Wicklow’s highest peak at 950m, Lugnaquilla was easily visible in a north-western direction.

Photo – Phil Murray

There were two options to descend the tower: take the walkway eleven levels down, or else take a high-speed (13 second long) option via a stainless steel tube slide. Needless to say, almost our entire group took the slide including our eldest and least mobile member. Some of the younger members took the slide a few times.

Photo – Phil Murray

Following a delicious lunch on site, a group of us went on a one-hour walk around the grounds. Taking us through mature forests, past an old train line and along the banks of the Avondale River it was a fitting end to a highly enjoyable day immersed in nature.

Aroa, Libia and Phil – Photo Credit – Biciclistas De Corella

The day did not end with the Wicklow trip though. After getting back to the Generator, the crew headed to upstairs in Slattery’s on Capel Street  for some traditional grub, Dublin style. After the day outdoors and all the walking, their food went down well. 

Monday 14 Oct – Lord Mayor’s Reception / Further City Explorations [Hugh]

Our final day kicked off with a visit to the Mansion House in Dublin and to meet James Geoghegan, the 356th Lord Mayor of Dublin. In what has now become an annual tradition, the Dublin Cycling Campaign presented the Lord Mayor with a bicycle for use over his term of office – see the separate Dublin Cycling Campaign story on this here. The group were delighted to get the chance to meet him outside the Mansion House.

Photo – Dublin Cycling Campaign 

Photo – Dublin Cycling Campaign 

We were welcomed into the Oak Room of the Mansion House, with an extended meeting with the Lord Mayor. He told us about the history of the Lord Mayor’s office. We then presented him with some gifts from Spain and Poland.  

Photo – Courtesy of Dublin City Council

Lord Mayor of Dublin, James Geoghegan, addressing the Erasmus guests

A symbolic gift from Corella – Photo Credit – Biciclistas De Corella

While in the Oak Room, we had a “Science Buzz” presentation by Michael Grehan. Michael is a Science Teacher from Belvedere College Dublin, and he demonstrated how physics is key to getting around by bicycle and to exploring the world around us. His demonstration was a real treat for both the teachers and the students. 

Michael Grehan demonstrating the gyroscopic effect! Photo – Carlos Isaba

In the afternoon, the teachers and adults met in the café of the National Gallery for the Coordinators meeting of the Generations Cycling for Inclusion and Climate Action project, while the students had some free time to explore the city further. Later in the afternoon then, we gathered at Foster Place for a Bike Disco organised by An Taisce to celebrate Climate Action Week, and the students had a chance to participate on a multi-person bike bus as shown below. 

Photo Credit – Biciclistas De Corella

End of the Bike Disco outside of the offices of An Taisce on Foster Place – Photo – An Taisce

The four day / five night Learning / Teaching / Training trip finished up that night in the Generator Hostel with the awarding of certificates to all of the hard working participants, and with singing and mingling running late into the night.  

In Conclusion

Over the course of the four full days, participants engaged with each of the overarching themes of the project: climate action, sustainable transport, social inclusion and intergenerational collaborations. ICC hopes that the activities undertaken will spur both students and adults to explore and act on these topics in greater depth over the coming years.

Another benefit was, of course, in forging stronger bonds and friendships between all of the project partners. It was a pleasure for ICC to host and to reconnect with our friends from Spain, Portugal, Poland, Waterford and beyond! We are already looking forward to travelling to Estella in Navarra in 2025 for the final Learning / Teaching / Training trip. 

Irish Cycling Campaign wishes to thank our volunteers for their help with organising multiple aspects of the planning and execution of the programme – and particularly all of our marshals assisting on the group cycle on the Saturday. Thanks also to Dublin Cycling Campaigner Miren-Maialen Samper, who herself is from San Sebastian Donostia, who popped along over the course of the few days to welcome the crew in several languages. 

Finally, we wish to pay a sincere thanks again to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, James Geoghegan, for his warm welcome to the Mansion House, and indeed to Dublin City Council’s staff for their support with many elements of the trip. 

————————

Note

A summary video on the whole trip assembled by Biclistas de Corella can be viewed here: 


More photos on the trip are available within:

Links to stories on the previous trips and project website:

Official project website: 
https://www.erasmuscyclingschools.com/ 

Chifly and Hugh – Photo Credit – Biciclistas De Corella

Irish Posts

Irish Cycling Campaign General Election 2024 Asks

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With a General Election on the cusp of being called, Irish Cycling Campaign is publishing here its top asks for all political parties. These are shown in the graphic on this page and with details provided further below.

The targeted investment we are seeking over the life-time of the next government will support healthier communities, reduce congestion, and contribute to Ireland’s climate goals. The investment in these projects is vital to providing safe, convenient cycling options for communities across Ireland.

The 8 Asks below were developed over the last few months, and refined at Irish Cycling Campaign’s recent Gathering held in Dublin.

And over the coming weeks, we will be assessing the quality of each political party’s election manifesto on the topic of active travel / sustainable transport policy with reference to each of the 8 Asks below.  


Further details on each of Irish Cycling Campaign’s Asks

#1 – Increase Investment in Sustainable and Public Transport 
Commit:
(i) to allocating a minimum of 20% of each year’s transport capital funding for walking and cycling for the full duration of the government, and 
(ii) to a 5:1 ratio of funding for new public transport infrastructure compared to new road infrastructure (i.e. covering both the planning/pre-construction and construction phases of work).

Noting here that we are still catching up on many decades of under-investment in walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure. 

#2 – Deliver Cycling and Public Transport Infrastructure 
Accelerate the delivery of: 

(i) high quality metropolitan and town cycle networks as per the National Transport Authority / NTA’s CycleConnects plan, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland National Cycle Network routes, and 

(ii) transformative public transport projects including: those listed in the All Island Strategic Rail Review; rural Local Link bus routes;p BusConnects in all cities; Luas expansion/developments in Dublin and Cork; DART+; and Metrolink.

#3 – Prioritise Safe Routes to School
The drastic reduction in the number of children cycling (and walking) to school over recent decades sends out warning signals in relation to the overall health of our future generations.  Within the envelope of funding active travel infrastructure, safe routes to school – and not just front of school treatments – need to be prioritised in order to reverse this trend.

#4 – Enhance Cyclist Safety 
Strengthen enforcement by An Garda Síochána to protect vulnerable road users, with a focus on those walking and cycling. A video upload portal should be introduced without delay to facilitate the reporting of dangerous driving and other road traffic law infringements.

#5 – Broaden Access to Bikes
Introduce a Bike for Life scheme to replace the current Bike to Work scheme, to make cycling accessible for everyone, including children, pensioners, and those not covered by the current Bike to Work scheme. This will support active travel and social inclusion for all age groups.

#6 – Expand Bike Parking & Bike Sharing Schemes 
Develop large, secure, and supervised bike parks — suitable for all bike types — at major transport hubs, and all major trip destinations. Additionally, expand bike-sharing schemes in both existing and new locations to encourage more people to adopt cycling as a daily mode of transport.

#7 – Legislate to Enable Best Practice Cycle Infrastructure Designs
Ensure all necessary legislative changes are enacted without delay to support the legal application of the NTA’s Cycle Design Manual, and the implementation of the legislative innovations now practised throughout Europe, to provide greater support for Active Travel. This will empower local authorities to deliver innovative, safe, and efficient cycling infrastructure, in line with best practice in urban design and active travel.

#8 – Address Vehicle Overuse and Car Size
Review Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) levels to encourage the use of smaller, greener vehicles. Reducing the presence of large and oversized cars will improve road safety and help to tackle emissions.

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General Election Asks 2020

For comparison with our current asks, we show below our Top 10 Asks that were developed ahead of the 2020 General Election and more information on these is available here – https://cyclist.ie/2020/10/cyclist-ie-10-asks-budget-2021/. 

Later this week, Irish Cycling Campaign will provide a summary overview of the progress made over the last five years in respect to these 10 Asks from the 2020 General Election campaign. To be added just below. 

Dublin, Irish Posts, Northern Ireland

Irish Cycling Campaign at Shared Island Youth Forum Outcome Statement Launch

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It has been a busy few weeks in Irish Cycling Campaign, particularly the last week when we had the pleasure of hosting our Erasmus friends as part of the Generations Cycling for Inclusion and Climate Action project – and we’ll be posting a story on their experiences here next week. 

A few weeks earlier though, Irish Cycling Campaign (ICC) was delighted to be invited to the launch of the Shared Island Youth Forum Outcome Statement in the Printworks Event and Exhibition Centre, Dublin Castle. There were 250 civic representatives from across the island in attendance, and Taoiseach Simon Harris TD delivered the keynote address. 

Taoiseach Simon Harris TD delivering the keynote address

The Shared Island Youth Forum comprises 80 young civic leaders from diverse backgrounds born since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. The Forum met nine times over the last year to deliberate and agree upon a statement of their vision and values for the future of the island, across themes of Sustainability, Opportunity, Wellbeing, Culture, and Identity and Equality, with Irish Cycling Campaign feeding into the thematic session on Sustainability which was held in the Aviva Stadium in 2023.

Dr. Damien Ó Tuama, ICC’s National Cycling Coordinator, was at the launch flying the sustainable transport flag, along with Andrew McClean from Cycling UK Northern Ireland who had travelled from Belfast for the event. We were also delighted to bump into Caroline Whyte from Feasta and Karin Dubsky from Coastwatch Ireland (both member organisations of the Irish Environmental Network) at the launch. 

Andrew McClean (Cycling UK Northern Ireland) and Caroline Whyte (Feasta) at the launch in Dublin Castle 

Irish Cycling Campaign and Cycling UK Northern Ireland were particularly focused on the Sustainability strand of the vision, and were impressed to read the following (on page 8) within the Vision of Sustainability:

The island is connected by a fully integrated, localised and sustainable transport network, featuring:

  • a strong rail infrastructure, with a rail line to every county;
  • more trams, buses and commuter trains, and shared community cars;
  • safe walkways and improved cycling infrastructure;
  • a network of joined-up cycle paths and greenways that is a transformational amenity for residents and a driver for sustainable tourism.

Further on then under the section on “Inspiring Actions for a Shared Future”, Sustainability, the following is included:

  • Scale up investment in local accessible public transport, roads and cycling infrastructure for all; campaign to encourage more sustainable local tourism, through visiting and holidaying across the island (page 16).

It’s reassuring that the Youth Forum included these statements in their vision document. In fact, the values underpinning the report and the statements on sustainable transport above align well with Irish Cycling Campaign’s own values and vision – as can be read in our own statement of values here and in our recent submission on the All Island Strategic Rail Review. 

For more on the launch see:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/16c25-taoiseach-simon-harris-launches-shared-island-youth-forum-statement-of-vision-and-values-for-a-shared-future

The Shared Island Youth Forum Outcome Statement itself can be read here:
https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/305449/1e3e0782-ac7d-4c14-bf31-5bd178b33981.pdf#page=null 

Dublin, Irish Posts

Workday Community Impact Awards 2024

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Earlier today (Wed 09 Oct 2024) Irish Cycling Campaign attended the Workday Community Impact Awards in the lovely The Lighthouse Cinema on Smithfield Square. ICC was represented by our National Cycling Coordinator, Dr. Damien Ó Tuama. 

While the Campaign’s application was not selected for the finalists’ list, it was worthwhile heading along after being invited to the awards. It’s always very interesting to meet others from the NGO sector who are campaigning and working on social issues, and who face similar challenges to those that ICC encounter – eg. raising the profile of the issues and fundraising. 

After hearing pitches from the short-listed applicants, there followed a broad discussion on the role of business in supporting civil society (Community Groups, NGOs Social Enterprises), particularly in an inner city context. There were plenty of references to what’s sometimes (slightly clunkily!) called “the quadruple helix” of academia, business, government and civic society. This chimed with us in ICC as our work intersects with all four of those domains. 

The winners of the awards were then announced by Minister of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohue. They were:  

My Mind  – whose mission is to positively change lives by providing professional, affordable, accessible therapy to anyone experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges. https://www.mymind.org/. First place.

Novas – a registered charity and Approved Housing Body working with families and single adults who are disadvantaged and socially excluded; primarily those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. https://www.novas.ie/about-us/ – Second Place.  

The Down Syndrome Centre – which provides crucial services to children with Down syndrome. https://downsyndromecentre.ie/ – Third Place.

Some images from the day are shown below. 

Irish Cycling Campaign looks forward to engaging in the future with the attendees we met today!

Minister Paschal Donohue (left) and Graham Abell (Workday)

The winning organisation

Irish Posts

Cycling Cities Project: Transitions to Sustainable Urban Mobility

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In this article, Kevin Long (Cork Cycling Campaign) and Ruth Oldenziel (Professor TU Eindhoven, Editor in Chief Technology and Culture) describe the research conducted to date in prising open the social history of cycling in Cork. They link this research to the Cycling Cities Project for which funding is sought so as to bring a comprehensive study of Cork’s cycling culture to fruition in the form of a bespoke publication.   

1. Originality / Innovativeness of the Research for Relevant Stakeholders
Until now, there has never been a dedicated initiative to explore the history of cycling in Cork, or indeed in any Irish city, as a part of everyday life. This has been particularly important for the Cork Cycling Campaign as a volunteer-based and community-oriented group. Through this project, we have been able to rediscover and reframe many forgotten aspects of utility cycling, which had largely faded from public memory over the years. This original focus on the social history of cycling has opened doors for future community-based cycling projects, and has allowed us to see the city’s potential for cycling-based sustainable mobility from a fresh historical perspective.

2. Efforts Made to Disseminate the Research Widely and Make It Applicable
Cork Cycling Campaign has taken significant strides to disseminate the knowledge gained from this research. A mobile photo exhibition, accompanied by a detailed talk, has served as the core of our outreach efforts. We have delivered this presentation at numerous public events, such as Cork Heritage Week, Cork Bike Week, and the UCC Socio-Cycling Symposium [See Irish Cycling Campaign’s report on that event here]. Additionally, local media—including newspapers and magazines—have profiled our work, helping to expand the reach of the project. A noteworthy mention in a European Cyclists’ Federation magazine and website (see here) last year has further highlighted the international interest in this initiative.


Lavitts Quay in the 1930s – Photo courtesy of Amy Ramsden

3. Relevance of the Research for Society
The project has been transformative for the campaign by offering invaluable insights into the historical and future potential of cycling in Cork. The research has resonated with a broad and diverse audience. We have received support from various stakeholders, including Cork City Library staff, Cork City & County Archives, the City Museum, local historians, university academics, and Cork City Council staff, especially within the transport and mobility departments. Road safety awareness officers and elected city representatives have also expressed interest in our findings. The overarching goal of our project is to build awareness of Cork’s rich cycling culture and use that knowledge as a behaviour-change tool to promote sustainable mobility. As we aim to educate the general public, academic institutions, and policy-makers alike, the research has proven relevant for a wide spectrum of people, all of whom are critical in shaping Cork’s future mobility landscape.


St Patrick’s Street – Photo courtesy of Amy Ramsden

4. Adoption Rate of the Research
Since its modest beginnings as a Lightning Talk at the UCC Socio-Cycling Symposium in 2023, the project’s adoption rate has grown significantly. We have been invited to present our exhibition and findings at various community events, including Bike Week, Community Fairs, and Heritage Week. The project has garnered significant public interest, with people reaching out to contribute their own cycling stories and photos, which in turn has enriched our archival research. Moreover, Cork Cycling Campaign has partnered with the Cork Folklore Project to document oral histories of cycling from past and present generations. These personal stories have helped us build a more comprehensive picture of Cork’s cycling culture and how it might evolve in the future. The Cycling Cities Project has brought a new and innovative perspective to cycling in Cork. We are confident that the knowledge uncovered by the Cycling Cities Project will continue to shape Cork’s transport and mobility policies for decades to come.

Note:
All three photos in this article were kindly provided by Kevin Long in Cork Cycling Campaign. The featured / top image above shows Kevin’s grandparents on the Western Road in Cork in 1943. 

Irish Posts, Uncategorized

Irish Cycling Campaign Gathering 2024 – Report

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It was almost 12 months to the day since Irish Cycling Campaign (then known as Cyclist.ie) held its last in-person Gathering, so there were many smiling faces and warm reunions at our 2024 event hosted in The Tailors’ Hall on Saturday (21st Sept). 

We were especially delighted to have members travelling from Cork, Limerick, Galway, Clare and Donegal and many other spots to attend the event. Some delegates have been active in Irish Cycling Campaign from the very beginning, while for others it was their very first meeting with campaigners from other counties. And in amongst the delegates were several of our Board Members, Executive Committee Members, and lead activists from our Local Groups and Action Groups. 

Mairéad Forsythe (Chairperson of Irish Cycling Campaign) welcoming the delegates, with Damien Ó Tuama (National Cycling Coordinator with Irish Cycling Campaign and An Taisce) in the background. Photo by Henry Simpson

For Irish Cycling Campaign, it was a fruitful, positive and energising meeting – just what we needed ahead of General Election 2024 (or will it be 2025?) for which we are working hard to put active travel and safer roads firmly on the political agenda. We spent the morning session teasing out our Election Asks, and received some excellent feedback on our draft list. 

After lunch, with Cornucopia providing some top notch food for our delegates, we explored topics such as Developments on the New Structures of ICC, How to Get Members More Involved, and How to Expand ICC’s Membership. We also had a chance to review three of the concept designs for the new logo for the organisation which generated no shortage of inputs and debate. And on that, watch this space for news over the coming period. 

Neasa Bheilbigh, Chairperson of ICC’s Executive Committee, leading the session on Membership and Volunteering. Photo by Henry Simpson

The day finished by looking ahead to our calendar of events, including the hosting of the partner organisations of the Erasmus+ project ICC is participating in (as per this recent web story – https://cyclist.ie/2024/09/irish-cycling-campaign-hosting-erasmus-visitors-in-october-2024/) – as well as reflecting on what was a busy and enjoyable day’s work. The conversions continued into the night as we retired to a local hostelry – and they were picked up again on Sunday morning at Car Free Day on Custom House Quay. 

The day was made possible by the organising work of ICC’s Executive Committee, and the Gathering was brought to life by the myriad of insightful contributions by delegates over the full day! ICC sincerely thanks our members for attending, and we also thank Photographer Henry Simpson for taking time out of his own schedule to drop in and take some snaps of our event. For those who attended, we will be back in touch soon with some summary notes from the day and will be informing the wider membership of all of the news in due course. 

We are already planning our next Gathering, which – all going well – will happen west of (or very near) the Shannon in Spring 2025!

ICC members midway through the day! Photo – Henry Simpson 

Note:
(1) The report on our 2023 Gathering, which doubled up as the 30th Birthday of Dublin Cycling Campaign, can be read here https://cyclist.ie/2023/10/cyclist-ie-gathering-and-dcc-30th-birthday-weekend/. 
(2) Thanks also to Jessica and Stephen from The Right Catering Company for help with the room set-up, and for providing teas/coffees for the delegates.

Dublin, International Posts, Irish Posts

Irish Cycling Campaign hosting Erasmus+ Visit in October 2024

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It’s just over a month before Irish Cycling Campaign welcomes the Erasmus+ partners to Dublin for the local leg of the international project that ICC is participating in.

The project is called Generations Cycling for Inclusion and Climate Action, and “Learning, Teaching and Training” cultural exchange visits have already taken place in Corella (Spain), Azambuja (Portugal), Waterford, and Wodislaw Slaski (Poland) – see the www.irishcyclngcampaign.ie website for stories on each of these. 

The project partners will arrive into Dublin on Thursday 10th Oct and  leave on Tuesday 15th, with four action packed days of activities in between. This will include a guided cycle for the 60+ visitors along some of Dublin’s brand new cycling infrastructure on Saturday 12 October. 

We will be looking out to ICC members, and to Dublin Cycling Campaigners in particular, for some marshalling support for that group cycle, and for other help over the days of the trip. If you think you might be able to help out, please contact our National Cycling Coordinator (Damien Ó Tuama) here. All help very much appreciated so as to give a lovely warm welcome to the visitors.

For more information on the project itself, see https://www.erasmuscyclingschools.com/. 

Irish Posts

Irish Cycling Campaign at Electric Picnic 2024: A Vibrant Weekend in Stradbally

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Irish Cycling Campaign (formerly Cyclist.ie) has been part of the Global Green area of the Electric picnic festival in Stradbally, County Laois, since 2009. In this report, Rory Maguire (Active Travel Officer with An Taisce) shares some insights into how this year’s incredible event unfolded.

Nestled in the Global Green area at Electric Picnic, our stall became a beacon for curious minds interested in sustainable transport, alternative art, and community building. The Global Green area, a wonderland of creative installations, education spaces, and eco-friendly infrastructure, provided the perfect backdrop for our advocacy efforts. It was inspiring to meet so many festival-goers eager to learn more about the Irish Cycling Campaign and the future of cycling in Ireland.

Rory testing out the kit!

I had the pleasure of volunteering alongside an energetic and passionate crew, including Donna, Marie, Joe, Taha and Laragh. In the intensely chaotic and fun-filled atmosphere of Electric Picnic, our team managed to put together various activities and a welcoming space which led to lively discussions about diverse cycling experiences, with insights shared about the cycling infrastructure or the lack thereof in locations all around Ireland and abroad.

The most fun and interest came thanks to Donna’s Penny Farthing and Uni-Cycle. Luckily everyone survived the experience. Only some walked away with potentially bruised tailbones, but worth the laughter and surely soothed by subsequent afternoon pints. Donna also gave an inspiring speech alongside a panel of sustainability leaders explaining the Irish Cycling Campaign’s aims, how we work for you, and the successes we’ve celebrated to date. A very powerful message was articulated on changing the perception of those who choose to cycle, and our hopes to create a safe, affordable and sustainable system of transport for people of all abilities.

The feedback we received throughout the weekend was overwhelmingly positive. Many festival-goers signed up for our newsletter to find out more about their most local cycle campaigning groups and to stay informed about events and more. Even those rare few who expressed scepticism or negative opinions about cycling or new infrastructure found themselves engaged in meaningful conversations, often softened by their time on the Penny Farthing (which I suspect may be the key to winning the hearts of the non-believers).

Donna in full flight representing Irish Cycling Campaign (Photo by Miren-Maialen)

A recurring theme in our conversations was the high regard many people held for the cycling infrastructure and bike culture they had experienced during Erasmus+ exchanges across Europe. This exposure had given them hope for what is possible in Ireland, a sentiment that aligns well with the vision and goals of the Irish Cycling Campaign.

As we packed up our stall at the end of the festival, we left Stradbally with a renewed sense of optimism. The enthusiasm and support we encountered at Electric Picnic underscored the growing momentum for cycling advocacy in Ireland.

Irish Posts, Northern Ireland

Cycling the Portadown – Newry – Carlingford Greenways

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Colm Walsh, a long-time member of Dublin Cycling Campaign, cycled the Portadown-Newry-Carlingford Greenways on a trip in August 2024. In this article he reports on his mini-adventure. 

Having viewed the Newry Canal from the train over the years, I chose a weekday in August and cycled Portadown-Newry-Carlingford-Dundalk. Below is my round-up. 

The ‘trailhead’ at Albert Lock, Newry

Overall, it’s not a great route – it feels unfinished and disconnected: Enterprise train 09:30 Dublin to Portadown, good coffee and plenty of bike hooks in the Guards’ Wagon. Easy way-finding from train station – helpful ticket inspector, 250m across roads to trailhead, nice cafe area there & east along the Bann river, branching off southward to Newry after a few 100m. Peaceful canalside towpath, gravelly, tree roots in places, small cafes, caravan coffee stops if you wish, Scarva village couple larger choices. 

The Trailhead at Portadown

Scarva village

Hit Newry about 2hours 15mins later. Dumped in the city centre, not very cycle friendly, no parking racks, found a large pub “Oliver’s” on the river for pitstop ‘only takes cash’’ (?) but when I protested at the house ATM fees, they produced a card machine! Fine. Off and down the river southward, but missed the start of the new and still-being-completed Carlingford Greenway. Instead of finding here the entrance to the canal towpath at Newry on the Albert Lock – which isn’t signposted and you just have to know it’s there – which brings you between the lough and the canal to Victoria lock, I ended up cycling past a Traveller encampment in wasteland, quite a scrappy start to greenway, then dumped on the road alongside the Albert Basin to the Victoria carpark and supposed start to the Carlingford Greenway, but not complete, only bits/bobs? 

Some unloved signage  along the way on the Newry canal, Co. Down

Unless I missed an entrance, I ended up cycling to Omeath before I could get access, many signs telling me ‘No Greenway Access’ heading towards the Greenway, which I could see parallel to me across fields, but genuinely couldn’t work out how to get on! Only in County Louth did wayfinding improve, but even in Omeath it was not clear how to start on the Greenway. I ended up going in through a caravan park. It’s fine, a bit gravelly, but the southerly wind the whole way didn’t help! 

These were visible – but no – ‘Greenway this way’ signs! In Co. Louth

Couple coffee stops available, hit Carlingford, and awful cycle on the hard shoulders of R173, a busy road serving ports & headwind until I turned west. Under pressure to catch 17:20 train, I stopped only very briefly, and quaffed the most delicious IPA at the Railway Bar, Dundalk after 76km or so with 15 mins to train. Back on Irish Rail, with three bicycles occupying two berths (that I had booked), so the guard turned a blind eye. Bring on the new carriages. I wouldn’t rush back to do that, kept going to Dundalk to avoid doubling back – but would not recommend that section, and ironically passing so many ‘No to Cooley Greenway’ signs!

Leinster says ‘no’!

Useful links but not much info available online:

http://greenwaysireland.org/

Newry to Dundalk Greenway

Thanks to Dave Anderson & Mairéad Forsythe for input.

Note:
If any other of our members have recently tried out some new (or perhaps older) signed cycle routes and would like to pen an article about your experiences, we would be delighted to hear from you. You can contact us here.  

Irish Posts

Letterkenny Deserves Better!

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Donegal County Council recently ran a ‘public consultation’ on active travel plans for a series of streets in Letterkenny, its main commercial centre. Letterkenny has a population of over 22,000, but like many Irish towns it is very car-centric, with little space or thought given to walking and cycling around the town. This proposed multi-route project in the town is Project 18 of 26 demonstration projects as part of the government funded Pathfinder Programme. It is meant to be a stimulus for other similar sized towns to learn from. The Irish Cycling Campaign is highly critical of the Council, its plans, and the consultation process employed.

The Irish Cycling Campaign made two separate submissions on the posted consultation, one from our Infrastructure Coordinator, and the other from local member Eddie Bradley. As you will note from the submissions, we are highly critical of the approach of Donegal County Council to this nominally important Pathfinder project, both in terms of the ridiculously short two week consultation time frame, and the poor quality of the presentations. There also appears to have been little direct contact with local organisations, businesses and householders affected by the proposals, as evidenced by the lack of awareness of the consultation throughout Letterkenny, and no overall background material or context supplied as part of the consultation.


Letterkenny Town Proposed Active Travel Routes

The general public were left in the dark about the actual detail of any of the schemes shown, or how they might work as a unit, to improve active travel in the town. We in the Irish Cycling Campaign are highly sceptical about the ambition of Donegal County Council to progress these projects to a meaningful state of completion, which will be absolutely critical to increase greatly walking and cycling in the town. It is sad to see this regrettable approach from the County Council, which will lead to either the stymieing of these proposals, or at the very least delaying the implementation of a decent quality active travel network. 

We have urged Donegal County Council to revisit the consultation process, the material posted and the design detail supplied!  We await their response!

Formerly Cyclist.ie