Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 80: To ask the Minister for Transport the published policies his Department have on fostering and facilitating cycling; the budget allocated to such policies; and the number of staff in his Department dedicated to cycling policy. [30078/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government is committed to promoting cycling, as is made clear in the Programme for Government: "We will invest in expanding the national network of cycleways in order to encourage more people to cycle and to promote cycling as a safe and healthy mode of travel" — Programme for Government, Page 14, June 2002. It is Government policy to make provision for the bicycle as a separate mode in the design and maintenance of roads.

While the provision of cycle ways and cycle parking is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant local authorities, my Department provides funding for cycle facility provision by local authorities in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), through its Traffic Management Grants (TMG) Scheme, which is administered by the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO). €45m was set aside for Traffic Management Grants this year. Allocations are made to individual projects based upon proposals from local authorities and in order of priority based upon a multi-criteria analysis. The development of cycle facilities also takes place in conjunction with the implementation of bus priority schemes. Approximately €30m has been provided by the Exchequer for the provision of cycling facilities in the Greater Dublin Area since 1994, €1m of which was provided in 2005. €2.2m has been allocated for cycle facilities in 2006. Overall, there are now approximately 300 kms of cycle network in the GDA.

The DTO cycletrack design manual (Provision of Cycling Facilities: National Manual for Urban Areas), published in 1997, provides guidance on the design of cycle facilities in Ireland. It is available on the DTO website at www.dto.ie/web2006/chapter1.pdf. The manual is supplemented by the DTO Traffic Management Guidelines, published in September 2003 in conjunction with the Department of Transport and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

A new edition of the DTO cycle manual is now being drafted by the DTO, which will address, inter alia: Compatibility and integration with the DTO Traffic Management Guidelines 2003, especially in the area of road hierarchy, road layouts, parking etc. Clarifications in relation to legislation etc. Design-specific issues such as cycling and bus stops, cycle parking development, roundabout detailing, cycling and trams, cycling and trucks, cycling and bus lanes. Expanded junction design guidance.

The DTO Steering Committee adopted a Cycle Policy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) at its September 2006 meeting. The Cycle Policy is a statement of intent by the Dublin Local Authorities, the DTO and other members of the DTO Steering Committee. The policy proposes to enhance the cycling environment in the GDA and promote cycling by a variety of means, including creating a continuous cycle-friendly environment on cycle routes and training and education measures. The GDA cycling strategy will now be further developed by the establishment of a GDA Cycle Working Group, consisting of local authorities and other relevant implementing/funding agencies. Partnerships will be formed with other stakeholders as necessary.

Outside of Dublin, the framework for the promotion of cycling in the regional cities is set out in the relevant land use and transportation strategy or in the relevant Development Plan or Local Area Plan. The Cork Area Strategic Plan contains proposals to improve facilities for cyclists and promote safe cycling in the city, and Cork City Council has since also developed a cycle network strategy. In Galway, the City Development Plan includes proposals for improving facilities for cyclists. Limerick City Council approved a cycle strategy for Limerick in May 2004, while the Waterford City Development Plan includes proposals for improving facilities for cyclists.

The most significant development of cycle facilities in the Regional Cities, funded by my Department, has arisen as a consequence of the development of Green Routes, QBCs and bus lanes in those cities. Cork City Council is in the process of developing ten Green Routes, including cycling facilities, with funding from my Department. It is anticipated that the most significant development of cycle facilities in Galway in the near future will arise as a consequence of the development of bus lanes recommended by the Strategic Galway Bus Study. This study, funded by my Department, is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. In the case of Limerick, my Department is funding a Green Route programme including the provision of cycling facilities, which form part of a planned integrated cycle network for Limerick. Waterford City Council, with funding from my Department, engaged consultants to prepare reports and to carry out design for the Waterford City N25 and Dunmore Road Green Routes. These projects will include provision for cycling facilities.

The staff in my Department's Accessibility, Rural Transport and Traffic Management Division, deal directly with the DTO and Local Authorities outside the Greater Dublin Area on traffic management matters, including cycling policy. No one individual is dedicated solely to cycling policy.