Welcoming the pledge by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny to extend the successful ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme, Michael Dawson, founder of One4all called on the Government to extend the initiative to a ‘Cycle To School’ campaign and keep Ireland moving.

Speaking today at the Dublin Business School/Lidl Annual Retail Conference, Mr. Dawson said:

“We know that since the introduction of the Cycle To Work Scheme countless jobs have been created as thousands more people have invested in new bicycles. There is now a real opportunity for Ireland to set the benchmark in youth cycling by extending the initiative to schools.  Such a move would support the health of our children and the wallets of parents while also boosting employment in the retail sector.”  Continue reading Call on Government to support Cycle To School initiative →

State examinations have a “strong negative impact” on the participation of children in sport, which in turn has “a lasting effect” on the likelihood of participation in later life.

Keeping Them in the Game: Taking Up and Dropping Out of Sport and Exercise in Ireland points out that the health issue most commonly associated with sport is obesity – and childhood obesity “reduces employment prospects and the likelihood of partnership as an adult”. Read article

Car lanes to be given to walkers and cyclists on Dublin’s quays

A plan to reduce traffic lanes and remove parking spaces from the Liffey quays, and to create a new pedestrian and cycling boulevard, will be presented to Dublin City Council next week. Read article

_____________________________________________________________________

Council to consider making limit “default urban speed limit” for residential and shopping districts

The reduction in the speed limit from 50km/h to 30km/h in Dublin city centre almost eight years ago has failed to reduce traffic speeds, Dublin City Council has concluded. Read article

A lot done, but more to do …

” … Corrupt planning and the age profile of politicians who still think driving is the future have been part of the problem. But more than anything else there has been a lack of courage to do the right thing now even if the dividends aren’t seen before this generation of politicians has retired …” Read article

The Government is to introduce new regulations allowing gardai to impose fines of €50 against cyclists who break road safety laws, it has been learned. Read article

Politically Painless Active Travel Seminar in Derry on Wednesday 19th June 2013 (10am start) followed by a public meeting in the evening in Belfast. Full details

New design manual recommends steps stuch as getting rid of guardrails, providing more zebra crossings and ‘decluttering’ streets by removing traffic signage

The accumulated wisdom of two generations of road engineers grappling with traffic in towns has been turned on its head by the Design Manual for Urban Roads issued jointly by the Departments of Transport and Environment.

Read article