Written answers

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Cycling Facilities Provision

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1810. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps which have been taken to require local authorities to provide safe and attractive cycling routes to public transport stations and stops in pursuance of policy 8.1 of the National Cycle Policy Framework. [26598/17]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1811. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress which has been made in providing as a pilot project to begin with guarded indoor bicycle parks with capacity from several hundreds up to several thousands at rail stations or major public transport hubs in pursuance of policy 8.3 of the National Cycle Policy Framework. [26599/17]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1812. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress which has been made in developing a range of national and local promotional campaigns encouraging the wider benefits of cycling such as freedom, the fastest way of getting around, sociability of cycling, lack of running costs, health benefits and ecological benefits in pursuance of policy 10.1 of the National Cycle Policy Framework. [26600/17]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1810 to 1812, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy is aware, while significant progress has been made under a number of objectives contained in the National Cycle Policy Framework (NCPF) it has not been possible for my Department, other Government Departments' and Local Authorities to deliver on many of the objectives due to the significant scaling back in overall public investment since the launch of the NCPF in 2009.

However, the NCPF has been integrated into the Development Plans of the majority of Local Authorities, thus ensuring that the objectives and policies to support and promote cycling are taken into account in current and future planning. 

In relation to cycling infrastructure, good progress is being made developing cycling routes in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and throughout the country under funding provided directly by my Department under the Smarter Travel funding programmes and through the Sustainable Transport Management Grants and Regional Cities funding programmes that are administered by the National Transport Authority (NTA) on behalf of my Department.  Further progress will be achieved in the coming years under the new BusConnects initiative recently launched by the NTA which, in addition to delivering a network of 'next generation' bus corridors, will also provide segregated cycling facilities on each of these corridors. 

Good work is also taking place in promoting behavioural change to encourage more people to take up cycling. My Department provides funding to the NTA on an annual basis for the delivery of behavioural change programmes such as Workplace and Campus travel programmes and the Green Schools Programmes. Furthermore my Department engaged Cycling Ireland to develop a new national cycle training standard - "Cycle Right" - which is currently being rolled out in many primary schools.  In addition my Department provides funding to local authorities throughout the country to assist in organising events and activities during Bike Week which is taking place this year between the 10th and 18th June.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.