Cyclist.ie, the network for all the cycling campaigns in Ireland, has endorsed this week’s call by RGDATA, the umbrella group for local shops, for a levy to be imposed on car-parking at out-of-town shopping centres.

According to the cyclists a vibrant, locally-based retail sector is important if walking and cycling for transport are to grow and prosper. Cyclist.ie chair Dr. Michael McKillen said “we cannot expect people to walk or cycle to local shops that have been put out of business by unfair and uncompetitive parking policies. Out of town shopping developments by their very nature tend to be at locations that are too far or too difficult to reach by bike or on foot”. Cycle Campaigners and RGDATA have previously supported each other in calls for the retention or reinstatement of the Groceries Order banning below cost selling by large multiples. Continue reading Cyclists back RGDATA’s call for parking levy on out-of-town shopping centres’ car parks →

A recent report commissioned by the Irish Sports Council found that the number of children engaged in active travel to school ie walking or cycling has risen considerably since 2004. Apparently good news but a closer examination shows that the news is not as good as first seemed.

While there has been a significant increase in cycling and walking it will come as no surprise to cycling advocates to learn that all of the increase is in walking. Among secondary school pupils the number of cyclists has remained at the same level while among primary students the level of cycling has actually fallen. Continue reading Rise in Number of Children Walking / Cycling to School? →

1. Equipment check
2. Rules of Road
3. Sharing the Road
4. Cycle Safe

Top brass European delegates will get free passes for Dublin’s rental bikes for travelling to major events during Ireland’s EU presidency.

Senior political figures like European Council president Herman Van Rompuy could be among those given the special offer, as the Government attempts to cut costs during its six-month term. Read more

Census 2011 Results: Profile 10 Door to Door – Commuting in Ireland – Report Highlights

Cyclist.ie Highlights

Highlights of the highlights:

• Proportion of commuters driving, up to 69% in 2011 from 57% in 1981
• Number / proportion of commuters cycling, up ~10% from 2006, to ~40,000; most popular in Dublin / Galway (~6% / ~5%)
• Proportion of commuters walking, ~10%, at ~180,000; highest in Galway, also Dublin and Waterford, lower in rural areas; changes unstated
• Huge increase in car dependency among school and college students

The National Transport Authority intends to introduce public bike schemes in four regional cities by the second half of next year.

The NTA yesterday invited sponsorship applications for bike schemes in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. Read article

Cyclist.ie asks: Why does it need a commercial sponsor? The obesity time-bomb lurking within the health system due to inactivity urgently requires a policy response that ensure that these schemes go ahead, with government funding if needed.

The Independent Child Death Review Group report uncovers high level of child fatalities attributable to Road Traffic Accidents

11 out of 68 non-natural child deaths known the HSE  (and 3 out of 17 while in the care of the HSE) found to be attributable to Road Traffic Accidents

Cyclist.ie find this data scandalous but reject often-heard calls for children to be corralled away inside – childhood obesity is now a far higher risk; our streets must be made safer for all

Full report and relevant tables Continue reading Ireland’s roads dangerous for children? →