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.
Photo from the Facebook page of Great Southern Greenway
