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International Posts, Irish Posts

Erasmus+ trip to Estella – Seeking Irish Cycling Campaign Ambassadors

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Background
Irish Cycling Campaign is part of an inspiring European Commission funded Erasmus+ project entitled “Generations Cycling for Inclusion and Climate Action” – as set out in the official website for the project https://www.erasmuscyclingschools.com/. 

The project has run over the years 2023 to 2025 and has included five fantastic “Learning, Teaching and Training” (LTT) trips and as well as ongoing liaison between the partner organisations:

The final Learning, Teaching and Training trip of this project will take place in Estella, a town in the province of Navarre in the north of Spain, from Thu 12 to Tue 17 June 2025 (i.e. arrive in Estella on Thu 12 June + four full days of activities + leave on Tue 17 June). There is a wonderfully diverse programme of activities planned by the local partner organisation, Tierra Estella-Lizarraldea BHI High School, and we are really looking forward to the trip.


The Opportunity
Irish Cycling Campaign (ICC) is now looking for one or else two additional ambassadors to join our core team on the trip, and we invite active members of ICC to apply to attend. The full costs of travel, accommodation, meals and activities are covered under the Erasmus+ project fund. We note here that the core team (of five persons) has already booked their over land-and-sea travel, journeying from Rosslare to Bilboa (return), and we are recommending that our additional team members join us on this over land-and-sea (and foldable bike) multi-modal adventure, rather than flying. We note however that this means leaving Rosslare on Wed 11 June (9.00AM) and returning to Rosslare on late Fri 20 June. 

Instructions for applying
If you are interested in applying to be an ICC ambassador, we are asking you to send us a one page letter (400 words max) explaining why you would like to represent ICC at this international Learning, Teaching and Training trip. We particularly welcome applications from members of our Local Groups that have not yet taken part in the Erasmus+ LTTs to date, and those in the 18-30 cohort (since Erasmus+ projects have a particular focus on younger adults) – but, as you’ll read further below, we are also happy to receive applications from members of Local Groups that have already been involved and from members of all ages. We request, in particular though, that you double check the dates of the trip and confirm that you are available for the full period. 

Please send your application email to [email protected], using the subject title ICC Erasmus Estella 2025 Application, by latest Thursday 22 May 2025 (11.59PM!). Applications will be assessed by a team comprising members of the ICC Executive Committee / ICC Board. 

The criteria for assessing applications are set out in Appendix I below, and these should guide you as you prepare your letter of application. Given the tight timeline we are working within, the plan is for applications to be assessed and for successful candidates to be contacted almost immediately after the above deadline, with a view to booking travel arrangements ASAP so as to keep costs down.  

If you have any questions on any of the above please:

  • email [email protected] 
  • with the subject title ICC Erasmus Estella 2025 Questions re Application 
  • by latest Mon 19 May 2025 

and we will respond to all queries as promptly as we can.   

Many thanks.
The Irish Cycling Campaign Executive Committee 

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Appendix I – Criteria for Assessing Applications for Partaking in the “Learning, Teaching and Training” (LTT) trip to Estella in Spain as an Ambassador for ICC

CriterionDetailsMarks
1Member of ICCPlease confirm in your letter that you are a member of Irish Cycling Campaign (ICC).  Mandatory
2Active in your local groupPlease describe in your letter of application what you have been active in within your own cycle campaigning / advocacy ICC Local Group over the last year. 35
3Enthusiasm, experience working with younger groups and broader skills!The Erasmus+ trips are very much convivial gatherings of diverse people, brought together under common themes.

If you are sociable, easy to get along with, or perhaps you play an instrument or sing a song or do a dance, or have experience working with younger groups (maybe in outdoor settings), please let us know in your application!

These softer ‘people skills’ are valued a lot in this project where it’s all about nurturing exchange between diverse groups.		35
4Younger adults Erasmus+ focuses particularly on the youth and younger adults (see here), so we are especially keen that within the Irish Cycling Campaign delegation we have at least some members who are under 30 years of age. Let us know if you are under 30 (but also 18 years or over) – while noting that people of all ages are very welcome to apply! We are aiming to have a mixture of ages representing us. 10
5Language SkillsThere are partners on the project from Spain, Portugal and Poland so it would be advantageous if you have (even basic) conversational Spanish, Portuguese or Polish. Please let us know in your application. 10
6Organised / Can help out with some basic adminBesides the trip itself, there is a certain amount of basic administrative work required to help to manage the project  – plus a need to post an informative web article on the trip afterwards (see the links provided at the top of the article above). Let us know in your letter of application if you are prepared to help out with this. You will receive guidance and training on this as needed / appropriate.10
Additional Criterion to be used in assessing all applications collectively, after the initial individual assessment has been completed
7DiversityFor this project, we are keen for the ICC delegation to be diverse in every sense of the term. We are especially keen to have a good spread of active members of ICC from all around the country, both urban and rural, with a good gender balance and mix of backgrounds. Do please tell us a bit about yourself in your application! 
Dublin

Bike Week 2025 – Irish Cycling Campaign Events

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Bike Week 2025 runs from Sat 10 to Sun 18 May 2025, and many of Irish Cycling Campaign’s Local Groups are running events. 

In this article, we give a flavour of the events that some of our own Local Groups will be running. The Local Groups we highlight here are:

  • Clonakilty Bicycle Festival
  • Cycle Skibbereen
  • Dublin Cycling Campaign
  • Gorey Pedestrian and Cycling Association
  • Navan Cycling Initiative
  • Sligo Cycling Campaign

And below are the details of the events happening (Local Group name, event name/date/location, poster, link to website or social media with more details)

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Clonakilty Bicycle Festival

Cycle Skibbereen 

Full week of activities, as per the poster below

Dublin Cycling Campaign

Community Gardens Cycle 2025, Saturday, 24 May 2025 – 11:00am, Meet at Mud Island Community Garden, North Strand. Details at https://www.dublincycling.com/events/community-gardens-cycle-2025 

More on Dublin Cycling Campaign’s events at this link:

https://www.dublincycling.com/events/bike-week-2025

Gorey Pedestrian and Cycling Association

Navan Cycling Initiative

See https://navancycling.ie/bike-week-2025/ 

Sligo Cycling Campaign

Sligo Cycling Campaign will also be supporting two School Cycles. The Scoil Ursula cycle route will be from the school to Mitchell Curley Park and return and newcomers to a school cycle, Carbury NS will  cycle to Cleveragh Park and return. We are looking forward to meeting pupils, staff and parents and feel a reward of ice-creams may be in order! 

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For more information on Bike Week events, see https://www.transportforireland.ie/getting-around/by-bicycle/bikeweek/.  

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Irish Cycling Campaign at the 2025 Shared Island Forum

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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 MicheĂĄl 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 MicheĂĄl 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

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PRESS RELEASE — Cycling Must Be at the Heart of Climate Action Plan 2025

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For Immediate Release Cycling 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. 

​​https://www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring–assessment/climate-change/ghg/transport/

​ Media Contact:

Neasa NĂ­ Bheilbigh, Chair, Irish Cycling Campaign
Email: [email protected]

Damien O’Tuama, National Cycling Co-ordinator
Email: [email protected]

Dave Tobin, Vice-Chair, Irish Cycling Campaign
Email: [email protected]

Dublin

We Have To Kill Fossil Fuels Before They Kill Us

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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. 

Photo by David Harte

For more on the ‘Fossil Fuels are a Health Hazard’ campaign, see https://ide.ie/fossil-fuels/. 

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/ 

Photo by David Harte

Article above provided by Miren-Maialen Samper.

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Tragedy in Galway: A Call for Safer Streets for Everyone

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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

Irish Posts

Collaboration and Progress at the 2025 Active Travel & Greenways Conference

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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.

Photo from the Facebook page of Great Southern Greenway
See https://www.facebook.com/southerntrail.374 

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. 

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Irish Cycling Campaign Meets Minister O’Brien to Advance Cycling and Walking Priorities

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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.

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Irish Cycling Campaign National Meeting in Limerick: A Resounding Success

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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.

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Irish Cycling Campaign – 2025 Shared Island Civic Society Funded Project

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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 North and 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).

For more about the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, see https://www.gov.ie/en/service/999af-shared-island-civic-society-fund/ 

For more about Cycling UK NI, see https://www.cyclinguk.org/northern-ireland 

You can contact us about the project HERE.