Irish Cycling Campaign delivered the press release below on Wednesday 01 January 2025 following yet another grim year of road traffic collisions and casualties.
Irish Cycling Campaign Urges Immediate Action Amid Rising Road Fatalities and Pushes for Investment in Safe Active Travel Infrastructure
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE
The Irish Cycling Campaign is gravely concerned at the rising number of road fatalities in Ireland, particularly among vulnerable road users such as cyclists, pedestrians, and e-scooter users. As of December 31st, 2024, 178 people have died on Irish roads – a grim continuation of last year’s trends. Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians (39 deaths), cyclists (11 deaths), e-scooter users (4 deaths), and motorcyclists (17 deaths), account for approximately 39% of the total road fatalities. These statistics do not take into account the impact of the many serious injuries caused by road collisions.
This past week alone has seen multiple fatalities involving hit-and-run incidents where vulnerable road users have been victims, reflecting a broader crisis of accountability and enforcement on Irish roads. These tragic incidents underscore the urgent need for structural changes to ensure greater road safety for all road users. Systemic change is needed through more sustainable transport, the design of roads and streets, through stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and through evidence-based educational campaigns. Over the past 15 years, Garda National Roads Policing Bureau staffing has declined by over 50% in some counties, reaching critically low levels. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, there was a net reduction of 154 frontline Gardaí across the network of nearly 570 Garda stations. This significant decline severely undermines the enforcement of traffic laws and the deterrence of dangerous driving behaviours.
Recent judicial decisions have raised concerns about the enforcement of traffic laws in Ireland. In December 2024, Judge Andrew Cody dismissed over 30 speeding cases in Portlaoise District Court, criticising the fairness of the speed zone in question, ignoring the reality of a number of road deaths in the Portlaoise area in recent years. Similarly, in September 2024, a driver caught exceeding 120 kmph avoided disqualification after a judge ruled the speeding was unintentional. Such rulings undermine efforts to deter dangerous driving behaviours, ignore a robust road safety evidence base, and compromise road safety at a time when we need the judiciary to fulfill their role in keeping our roads safe.
The Campaign welcomes the upcoming reform of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the planned replacement of the RSA with two new agencies. This reform is urgently needed. The Campaign is calling on government to ensure that the road safety advocacy remit is underpinned with well-resourced expertise in sustainable transport and public health.
Neasa Bheilbigh, Chairperson of the Irish Cycling Campaign, stated: “Vulnerable road users make up nearly 40% of all fatalities on Irish roads this year. This is a shocking and unacceptable statistic that demands immediate action. The government has a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable people on our roads. We know what works: safe and segregated infrastructure for walking and cycling, robust enforcement of traffic laws, and investment in public transport. It’s time for our leaders to act decisively.”
Dave Tobin, Vice Chairperson of the Irish Cycling Campaign, added: “Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are now drafting a new Programme for Government. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to prioritise active travel and improve safety for vulnerable road users. We are calling for at least 20% of the transport budget to be allocated to walking and cycling as recommended by the UN to save lives, reverse pollution and reduce carbon emissions. This level of investment would save lives, while creating more liveable towns and cities. Safe infrastructure is not just a luxury – it’s a necessity.”
With a new Programme for Government currently being developed between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, the Irish Cycling Campaign calls for:
Safe and Segregated Active Travel Infrastructure: Properly funding and prioritising active travel infrastructure is crucial. The Campaign urges the government to allocate at least 20% of the national transport budget for walking and cycling, alongside significant investment in public transport solutions to help reduce car traffic on our roads. This commitment would align with international best practices and support the government’s climate and safety goals. Investment in active travel makes our roads safer for all road users, improves public health, reduces traffic congestion, and reduces air and noise pollution.
Engineering-First Solutions: Infrastructure changes, including protected cycle lanes, improved pedestrian crossings, and better road design, must be prioritised as the most effective way to prevent road deaths and injuries by reducing driver collisions.
Enhanced Traffic Policing Resources: Immediate restoration and strengthening of Garda Roads Policing staffing is necessary to ensure laws are enforced and dangerous behaviours are deterred.
Strong Political Will: The government must use the upcoming Programme for Government to commit to a sustainable, safe, and equitable transport system. Relevant expertise and streamlined processes at local authority level is required for urgent delivery of safer roads in our communities. This should also include expediting the delivery of revised speed limits.
Road Safety Authority Reform: Any new entity tasked with road safety advocacy and education must take a systems-wide approach and be resourced with the relevant expertise to help ensure the delivery of engineering solutions, enforcement and behavioural change measures to tackle the causes of injury and death on our roads.
The Irish Cycling Campaign emphasises that road deaths and injuries are not inevitable; they are preventable. Properly funding and designing a transport system that protects vulnerable road users must be at the core of government policy. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reverse the devastating trends on Ireland’s roads and create a safer, greener, and more liveable country for everyone.
ENDS
The Irish Cycling Campaign (ICC) is the national everyday cycling advocacy body with membership from cycling advocacy groups, greenway groups and bike festivals on the island of Ireland. It is also the Irish representative body for cycling at the European level as the Irish member of the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF).
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.
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:
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.
Last Thursday, 10 April 2025, Irish Cycling Campaign attended the Shared Island Forum in St. Patrick’s Hall in Dublin Castle. We were invited along as an awardee of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund 2024, and as the national advocacy organisation for cycling in Ireland. Flying the ICC flag on the day was Dr. Damien Ó Tuama, our National Cycling Coordinator.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was the keynote speaker and he explained the Shared Island Initiative as a suite of projects where we are “building relationships while we are busy doing other things”. In Irish Cycling Campaign’s case, we are running a project entitled “Cycling across borders – exchanging know-how between cycling advocacy organisations, North and South“ along with Cycling UK Northern Ireland as we reported on recently here.
And as part of that project, we are delighted to be running a special session at the Leitrim Cycling Festival which takes place from 23-25 May 2025 – see https://leitrimcyclingfestival.com/ and the images below. Our Shared Island session will be at 2pm on the Saturday, details to be made available over the coming weeks.
We were glad to hear of active travel and greenway schemes referred to in both the Taoiseach’s formal address and in the ‘fireside chat’ with the event moderator Lynette Fay, a BBC radio and TV presenter. The Taoiseach also mentioned his desire to see a really iconic North – South greenway / active travel project developed.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Lynette Fay at the fireside chat in Dublin Castle
We were not sure if he was referring to schemes currently advancing or being enhanced in the Donegal / Derry area (see https://www.interregeurope.eu/good-practices/north-west-greenway-network), those around the Carlingford area (https://www.carlingfordloughgreenway.ie/) or those associated with the Ulster Canal (see here for the details of the Ulster Canal Greenway Strategy) – or perhaps a newer proposal altogether? He also made reference to the Narrow Water Bridge, currently under construction, which will connect communities in the Omeath area of Co Louth with those in Narrow Water, Co Down. Either way, it’s great to see the appreciation of and support for the development of high quality cycling routes from the very top.
The remainder of the Shared Island Forum brought together a diverse array of traditional musicians and those involved in various community, cultural and research activities. The final session considered questions around climate, biodiversity and water, all of which are quintessentially cross border in nature, and where active travel and the decarbonisation of transport connect in.
In conclusion, Irish Cycling Campaign was delighted to be there at the event, and to be meeting with representatives across the political, cultural, academic and advocacy realms, and building new connections, North and South.
Note: The ‘Shared Island Initiative Report 2024 – Action on a Shared Future’ sets out the fourth year of the Shared Island Initiative, and how the government has taken forward its commitment to engage with all communities and traditions to build a shared future on the island, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. The report was published on 10 April 2025 and is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/campaigns/shared-island/.
See page 47 of the report for a note on Irish Cycling Campaign and Cycling UK NI’s participation in Round 3 of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund.
Well used bike-parking stands (of a minimalist design type) at the Lower Yard of Dublin Castle
For Immediate ReleaseCycling Must Be at the Heart of Climate Action Plan 2025
As the Climate Action Plan 2025 (CAP25) is set to go to Cabinet today, the Irish Cycling Campaign is calling on government to clearly back cycling as a core climate solution – and to protect the funding and delivery needed to make it work.
Transport remains Ireland’s fastest-growing source of carbon emissions. If we’re serious about cutting emissions in line with our 2030 targets and our next five year carbon budget, we need fewer cars on the road and more people walking, wheeling and cycling. The upcoming CAP25 is a crucial test of whether the government is willing to take that challenge seriously.
“We need to complete safe, connected cycling networks across all our local authorities in this government’s term – not just plan them,” said Neasa Bheilbigh, Chairperson of the Irish Cycling Campaign. “The infrastructure that’s already in development can transform how people move in towns and cities across Ireland, but only if the political will and funding are there to deliver it.”
While recent years have seen a welcome increase in funding for cycling and walking, the delivery of infrastructure has been uneven. Without strong support in CAP25, Ireland risks falling short on its climate and transport goals.
The Irish Cycling Campaign joins a wide range of civil society voices in calling for a credible Climate Action Plan that prioritises proven solutions like active travel that reduce emissions, improve public health, and create more liveable communities as we move towards our 2030 targets.
ENDS
Additional Stats on Transport Emissions:
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), between 1990 and 2023, transport emissions increased by 129.2%, rising from 5.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent to 11.79 million tonnes. This growth is the largest among all sectors during that period. By 2023, transport accounted for 21.4% of Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions, up from 9.3% in 1990.
On Tuesday 8th April 2025, Irish Cycling Campaign members Cllr. Donna Cooney, Colm Ryder and Miren-Maialen Samper joined Irish Doctors for the Environment to highlight the real and current dangers of climate change.
The campaigners converged on Granby Row, just off Parnell Square, at the newly unveiled billboard which reads “we have to kill fossil fuels before they kill us”. The aim of the billboard, located prominently in the public realm, is to exert pressure on the government to implement a ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship, and to regulate — as a matter of urgency — advertising that promotes fossil fuels.
As the organisers explained, pollution from fossil fuels causes more deaths globally than smoking. Fossil fuels are driving the greatest health crisis of our time, yet the fossil fuel industry continues to enjoy unrestricted advertising and sponsorship rights.
Both Irish Cycling Campaign and Irish Doctors for the Environment are member organisations of the Climate and Health Alliance which work to highlight the fact that the climate crisis is a health crisis. For more information on the Climate and Health Alliance, see https://climateandhealthalliance.wordpress.com/
The Irish Cycling Campaign is deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news from Galway, where a 6 year old girl lost her life following a road traffic incident while cycling.
Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with her family, friends, and all those affected by this devastating loss. No parent should ever have to endure such grief. No child should ever be unsafe on our roads – whether walking, cycling, or travelling in any way.
This tragedy is a stark reminder of why we and so many others continue to campaign for safer streets, especially for our most vulnerable road users. It is simply unacceptable that in 2025, families still have to fear for their children’s safety when they cycle or walk in their own communities.
We echo the calls already being made across Galway and beyond for urgent investment in safe, segregated cycling infrastructure – not just in cities, but in towns and rural areas too. Nationally, we need a step change in how we design our roads, prioritising safety, accessibility, and dignity for people of all ages and abilities.
We will continue to advocate for the changes needed to ensure this kind of tragedy never happens again. Every child deserves to get home safely.
Neasa Bheilbigh
Chairperson of the Executive Committee Irish Cycling Campaign
Last week’s Active Travel and Greenways Conference in Limerick brought together a broad range of stakeholders – Local Authority staff, Active Travel teams, the National Transport Authority (NTA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Fáilte Ireland and more – to discuss Ireland’s evolving cycling and walking infrastructure. Irish Cycling Campaign was there, represented by the Chairperson of our Executive Committee, Dave Tobin.
The event, held in the Limerick Strand Hotel over 26-27 March 2025, underscored how collaboration between all of these groups is central to delivering high-quality networks that serve both communities and visitors.
A Platform for Shared Learning With sessions covering funding, tourism, behavioural science and project delivery, the conference fostered critically engaged discussions on best practices and the challenges of implementation. Particularly valuable was the opportunity for professionals from different agencies to learn directly from one another – whether it was engineers discussing technical standards, planners exploring integration with public transport, or tourism experts considering how greenways can drive local economies.
Cyclists enjoying the view off Barnagh layby on the Limerick Greenway (photo courtesy of Great Southern Greenway Group)
The interactive site visits on Day 1 showcased Limerick’s commitment to Active Travel, with participants cycling through new infrastructure in the city and the Limerick Greenway. These first-hand experiences reinforced the importance of well-designed networks that cater to both daily commuters and leisure users.
Limerick Leading the Way A standout theme of the event was Limerick’s clear progress towards completing its cycling network. The work of Limerick City and County Council’s Active Travel Team, coupled with its strategic approach to designing greenways, has placed it at the forefront of Ireland’s cycling transformation. Limerick’s work demonstrates how persistent investment and integrated planning can deliver real, tangible benefits — something other counties around the country can look to for inspiration.
Letterkenny’s Strong Vision Letterkenny in Donegal also emerged as a leader in the discussions, with its range of town cycling projects setting a strong example of how urban areas can be reimagined for sustainable transport. Donegal County Council’s presentation highlighted how a well-planned Active Travel network can not only improve mobility but also boost local business and the quality of life for its residents.
A Call for Continued Collaboration The closing reflections of the two day conference emphasised that while individual projects are indeed advancing, greater inter-agency cooperation is needed to accelerate delivery nationwide. Events like this conference play a critical role in ensuring that knowledge-sharing and collaboration remain at the heart of Ireland’s Active Travel movement.
As Limerick continues to push forward, and other towns like Letterkenny lay the groundwork for transformational change, there is clear momentum behind building a truly connected, cycle-friendly Ireland. The challenge now is to maintain that momentum, ensuring that these conversations translate into action on the ground.
Earlier today (Wed 02 April 2025), representatives from the Irish Cycling Campaign (ICC) met with Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, to discuss priorities for cycling and walking in Ireland. ICC’s team comprised Neasa Bheilbigh, Dave Tobin and Damien Ó Tuama.
The discussions focused on the importance of stable, multi-annual funding for active travel projects, strengthening delivery structures, aligning Road Safety Authority (RSA) reforms with cycling needs, and ensuring active travel remains central to national transport policy.
Minister O’Brien reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to active travel and acknowledged the importance of sustained investment to complete cycling networks in cities and towns across the country. He expressed strong support for progressing safe, high-quality cycling infrastructure and ensuring local authority Active Travel teams have the resources and expertise needed for effective project delivery.
The Minister also recognised the role of active travel in improving road safety, reducing emissions, and supporting healthier, more liveable communities. He pledged to work with the National Transport Authority (NTA), the Department of Transport and Local Authorities to accelerate delivery and ensure cycling remains a key pillar of the Government’s transport strategy over the coming years.
The Irish Cycling Campaign welcomes the Minister’s support and looks forward to working together to turn these commitments into real improvements for people cycling across Ireland. We appreciate the Minister’s time and engagement, and look forward to continued collaboration in the months and years ahead.
The Irish Cycling Campaign’s National Meeting, held on Saturday, March 29th, 2025, at the Citizen Innovation Lab in Limerick City, brought together cycling advocates, policy experts, and local representatives from across the country. The event underscored Limerick’s emergence as a leader in sustainable transport and showcased the city’s commitment to high-quality cycling infrastructure.
Neasa Bheilbigh, Chair of the Irish Cycling Campaign with Senator Maria Byrne (FG), Cllr Peter Doyle (FG), Cllr Joe Leddin (Lab) and Damien Ó Tuama, National Cycling Coordinator.
Friday Evening: Three Bridges Critical Mass Cycle
The gathering commenced on Friday evening with the Three Bridges Critical Mass Cycle. Participants convened at Colbert Station before departing from Merchant’s Quay Council Building. This spirited ride through Limerick’s scenic routes fostered camaraderie among attendees and highlighted the city’s cyclist-friendly initiatives.
Saturday: Engaging Panels and Infrastructure Exploration
Saturday’s agenda was rich with insightful discussions and interactive sessions:
Effective Communication for Active Travel and Behaviour Change: Panelists explored strategies to promote cycling and active travel, emphasizing the importance of clear messaging and community engagement.
Inclusion & Representation in Active Travel: This session addressed the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in cycling, advocating for inclusive policies and infrastructure that cater to all members of the community.
Public Perspectives on Cycle Infrastructure in Limerick: Led by Ross Higgins and the Active Travel Office, this panel delved into submissions on local infrastructure projects, and discussed future plans to enhance consultation.
Panel on Inclusion and representation in Active Travel; Ross Higgins (UL), Sally Wilson (Limerick Sports Partnership), Hannah Jannsen (Paul Partnership), Clara Clark (Cycling without Age), Maria O’Dwyer (social researcher) and Anne Cronin (Limerick Cycling Campaign)
In the afternoon, attendees participated in an Infrastructure Cycle led by the Limerick Active Travel Team. This hands-on experience allowed participants to assess current cycling routes and provided valuable feedback for ongoing and future projects.
Keynote Speakers and Community Engagement
The event featured esteemed speakers, including John Moran, UL researcher Ross Higgins, and Sean McGlynn of Limerick Active Travel. Their insights into urban planning, research findings, and practical implementations enriched the discussions and inspired attendees.
Senior Engineer Dan Slavin from the Limerick Active Travel Team giving the background to the Childer’s Road scheme on Limerick’s south side during the Infrastructure Cycle.
Looking Ahead
The National Meeting not only celebrated Limerick’s advancements in cycling infrastructure but also reinforced the collective commitment to promoting active travel nationwide. The Irish Cycling Campaign extends heartfelt gratitude to all participants, speakers, and organizers who contributed to the event’s success.
As we reflect on the fruitful discussions and shared experiences, we are reminded of the power of collaboration in driving positive change. We look forward to building upon this momentum and continuing our efforts to create a more sustainable and cycling-friendly Ireland.
Some additional photos of attendees of the national meeting in Limerick.
Irish Cycling Campaign is thrilled to announce its participation in a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade organised Shared Island Civic Society Fund initiative. The project is entitled “Cycling across borders – exchanging know-how between cycling advocacy organisations, North and South“, and it involves a close collaboration with Cycling UK Northern Ireland.
Over the course of the project, we will be working alongside many community based cycling campaigning organisations in Northern Ireland, in the border counties and across the whole island.
The Shared Island Civic Society Fund is an initiative designed to promote practical North South cooperation. It aims to encourage and support civic society and community organisations to further strengthen existing partnerships and/or to develop new cross-border links, to build connectivity, and to work together to ensure an inclusive and diverse island.
On the commencement of the project Neasa Bheilbigh, Chair of the Executive Committee of ICC, said:
“Irish Cycling Campaign is really delighted to have its work recognised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and for it to fund this project which brings together cycling advocates from Northand South to share know-how on everyday cycling campaigning across the island. We are really looking forward to exchanging experiences and ideas with sustainable transport advocates in Northern Ireland”.
Andrew McClean, Cycling UK’s Northern Ireland Lead, said that Cycling UK was very happy to be joining forces with Irish Cycling Campaign on this project:
“Both Cycling UK and the Irish Cycling Campaign are members of the European Cyclists’ Federation, and between us we have decades of experience pushing for cycling to be seen as a core part of transport and public health. In working more closely together, our aim is to get the government to recognise the huge benefits cycling can bring, strengthening our public health, economy and sustainability commitments.”
One exciting strand of the project will be spending time at the lovely Leitrim Cycling Festival, which this year takes place in the village of Tullaghan on the coast of Leitrim from 23-25 May https://leitrimcyclingfestival.com/. Lead organiser of the festival, Jo Sachs Eldridge, said:
“It’s just wonderful that this Shared Island project is happening, and Leitrim Cycling Festival is delighted to be a part of it. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Leitrim in May, and particularly for our special session on exchanging creative ideas on cycle campaigning in urban and rural contexts, and all across the island, North and South. Details to be announced soon!”
Then later in 2025 (most likely in the Autumn), Irish Cycling Campaign and Cycling UK NI will co-organise a special edition of the Gathering of Cycling Campaigners, that will follow the equivalent event happening in Limerick on Sat 29th March (as per this post). Both Gatherings are all about exchanging stories and top tips on creating strong everyday cycling cultures in our communities. Details to be made available in due course.
If you are interested in connecting into the “Cycling across borders” project, please contact Dr. Damien Ó Tuama, National Cycling Coordinator with Irish Cycling Campaign or Andrew McClean of Cycling UK NI (see below).
Dublin City Council celebrated International Women’s Day 2025 with a cycling theme. On Thursday 6th March in the Generator Hostel on Smithfield Square, they screened the Saudi Arabian film, Wadjda, about a 10-year-old girl who wants to buy a bike to race her friend Abdullah. In this article Miren Maialen from Dublin Cycling Campaign’s Executive Committee reports back on the evening.
First and foremost, it was a really enjoyable occasion attending the film screening and the panel discussion. The film itself is about a 10-year-old girl who wants to buy a bike to race her friend, but Wadjda’s mother refuses, fearing repercussions from Saudi society.
After the film, there was a great debate exploring the wider barriers to cycling that panelists have experienced and overcome, and examining how we can all encourage and empower more girls and women to cycle. The panel was chaired by Siobhán McNamara, Vice-Chair of Dublin Cycling Campaign, and it included Catríona Nally, from Ballymun Youth Action Project and Recovery Road Cycling Club, and Josephine Healion, Paralympic Cyclist and World Championship medal winner, as well as Jannatul, a new cyclist from Bangladesh who participated in Dublin City Council’s adult cycle training.
It was really great to listen to all of the participants in the panel.
Siobhán, who chaired the discussions, highlighted the positive work being undertaken by Irish Cycling Campaign, with their local branch the Dublin Cycling Campaign advocating for better infrastructure for cycling and, more generally, for making Dublin a great city for cycling for all ages and abilities.
Jannatul explained how important it was for her to learn how to cycle, particularly in terms of the freedom it gives her and, simply, for the pure enjoyment of cycling.
It was great to hear from Caitríona about the initiatives for her community and how it is bringing positive change and how the women in her local community are enjoying the cycling; and to hear from Josephine from the perspective of a vision impaired athlete – she competes in the women’s tandem events on both the track and the road. There was a packed audience there and great discussions around the main themes raised.
As mentioned at the event, if you are interested in adult cycle training, please get in touch with Dublin City by email (to [email protected]) any time.
Dublin City Council celebrated International Women’s Day 2025 with a cycling theme. On Thursday 6th March in the Generator Hostel on Smithfield Square, they screened the Saudi Arabian film, Wadjda, about a 10-year-old girl who wants to buy a bike to race her friend Abdullah. In this article Miren Maialen from Dublin Cycling Campaign’s Executive Committee reports back on the evening.
First and foremost, it was a really enjoyable occasion attending the film screening and the panel discussion. The film itself is about a 10-year-old girl who wants to buy a bike to race her friend, but Wadjda’s mother refuses, fearing repercussions from Saudi society.
After the film, there was a great debate exploring the wider barriers to cycling that panelists have experienced and overcome, and examining how we can all encourage and empower more girls and women to cycle. The panel was chaired by Siobhán McNamara, Vice-Chair of Dublin Cycling Campaign, and it included Catríona Nally, from Ballymun Youth Action Project and Recovery Road Cycling Club, and Josephine Healion, Paralympic Cyclist and World Championship medal winner, as well as Jannatul, a new cyclist from Bangladesh who participated in Dublin City Council’s adult cycle training.
It was really great to listen to all of the participants in the panel.
Siobhán, who chaired the discussions, highlighted the positive work being undertaken by Irish Cycling Campaign, with their local branch the Dublin Cycling Campaign advocating for better infrastructure for cycling and, more generally, for making Dublin a great city for cycling for all ages and abilities.
Jannatul explained how important it was for her to learn how to cycle, particularly in terms of the freedom it gives her and, simply, for the pure enjoyment of cycling.
It was great to hear from Caitríona about the initiatives for her community and how it is bringing positive change and how the women in her local community are enjoying the cycling; and to hear from Josephine from the perspective of a vision impaired athlete – she competes in the women’s tandem events on both the track and the road. There was a packed audience there and great discussions around the main themes raised.
As mentioned at the event, if you are interested in adult cycle training, please get in touch with Dublin City by email (to [email protected]) any time.
Photo from the Facebook page of Great Southern Greenway
