Dr. Damien Ó Tuama:

The biggest intervention is the creation of safe cycle networks in urban and rural areas for people using bikes, be they ordinary bikes, e-bikes or cargo bikes. That is the number one thing. It is safety and the perception of safety that puts most people off cycling. The other is distance. That is where e-bikes come in. They make things much handier. It can make an enormous difference, in particular if you can combine bus or train trips with e-bikes.

The SEAI should have a role regarding e-bikes in the way it covers e-cars. I would like to see it introduce grants for the purchase of the bigger e-cargo bikes. As Dr. Byrne said, it is important to bring in those groupings that are currently excluded from the bike-to-work scheme – the unemployed, the low paid, and perhaps students and other groups. They are the biggest interventions. I like the scrappage scheme in France, which I think has significant potential.