Written answers

Thursday, 19 January 2023

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Electric Vehicles

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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173. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to introduce measures to promote the use of electric bikes in order to encourage commuters to use this mode of transport instead of private petrol and diesel motor cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2487/23]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel and public transport infrastructure.

My Department is continuously exploring ways to encourage the uptake of cycling as a mode of transport and it is evident that the popularity of e-bikes is rising. Our National Sustainable Mobility Policy examines the different behavioural change measures that can be explored to promote modal shift away from private car use and towards zero-emission transport modes such as walking, cycling and e-biking.

It is worth noting that in Budget 2021 my colleague, the Minister for Finance, increased the thresholds for the Cycle to Work scheme to enable the purchase of e-bikes, which is an incentive available for many commuters.

The Department of Transport will continue to undertake research into other additional measures which could be introduced to promote modal shift and encourage an uptake in electric bike usage across all demographics.

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