Written answers

Tuesday, 19 July 2016

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Cycling Policy

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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47. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the amount of safe cycle routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22520/16]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The greatest potential for increasing the numbers of people cycling is by improving the cycling experience and a key element of this is direct investment in the provision of safer cycle routes. In this regard, the Government is making significant investment in cycling infrastructure​.

  Safe cycle routes have been delivered in a number of towns throughout the country under Smarter Travel programmes such as Active Travel Towns, Smarter Travel Areas and National Cycle Networks.  Significant investment has also been made in cycling greenways and in cycling infrastructure in urban areas. In Dublin, the recently published 2015 Canal Cordon Count demonstrates how effective the investment in cycling in Dublin has been.  It shows that there has been a steady year on year growth in the number of cyclists crossing the cordon in the morning peak - almost 11,000 in 2015, an increase of 125% when compared with 2006.

My Department is interested in further improving the cycling infrastructure throughout the country. The Programme for Partnership Government commits that future investment in our public transport system will uphold the principles of smarter travel. Under the Capital Plan, €100 million is being committed to smarter travel and carbon reduction measures, including cycling greenways and other cycling infrastructure.  We have also committed to supporting the extension of the existing public bike schemes in a number of our cities and driving the roll-out of additional schemes in other areas.

In support of this infrastructural investment, my Department has also funded the development of a new cycling training standard - Cycle Right - that will facilitate high quality cycling and cycle safety training for our young people in particular.

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