Joint Cycling Seminar organised by the Embassy of the Netherlands and the Department of Transport

Minister Dempsey and Mr Robert Engels, Ambassador of the Netherlands

The seminar took place in the Royal College of Physicians on Wednesday 26 January.  The papers presented at the seminar are available at the following links as is the press release issued by the Minister for Transport.

Key lessons learned from the seminar included the need for -

• A sustained focus over an extended period on turning the National Cycle Policy Framework into reality;
• Co-ordinated action by all stakeholders - government bodies at all levels, non-governmental organisations, cycling associations and cycling retailers;
• Support for cycling not only for commuting purposes but for leisure, recreation and sport also;
• Reinforcement of the wide benefits of cycling in terms of improved public health, more enjoyable urban spaces, tourism opportunities and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

The Minister also confirmed that BikeWeek 2010 would be held in the period 13 to 20 June 2010.

Presentation Downloads

• The National Cycle Policy Framework is Taking Effect - Ronnie Devlin, National Sustainable Travel Office
• National Cycle Network Cycling Seminar - Helen Hughes, National Roads Authority
• Joint Cycling Seminar - The Dutch Experience - Ciarán Fallon, Dublin City Council
• The Dutch Bicycle Policy and Approach - Hans Voerknecht
• Cycling with Urban Planning & Design - Herbert Tiemens

Press release      27 January 2010 

Cycling - a priority for Smarter Travel

Implementation of National Cycle Policy Framework gathers pace
Bike Week 2010 set for 13-20 June 2010
 
Mr Noel Dempsey T.D., Minister for Transport, today (27 January) promised continued action of creating a culture of cycling in Ireland, saying that increased levels of cycling will be a key element in delivering a sustainable travel and transport system in Ireland by 2020.  He was speaking at a cycle seminar in the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin, jointly hosted by the Embassy of the Netherlands and the Department of Transport.
 
His Excellency Ambassador Robert Engels, in his opening address, said that cycling is a first choice travel option for many people in the Netherlands going about their daily lives - business people with their briefcases, Prime Ministers and Ministers, mothers and fathers with children and students.  Even though the numbers of bicycles in the Netherlands, currently about 18 million, now outnumber the population (16.5 million), and there are some 29,000 km of bicycle paths, there is still more to do.  And that's because cycling is good for public health, is good for the environment and promotes quality of life.
 
Minister Dempsey echoed Ambassador Engels' sentiments.  "There are many Irish people who could - if they so desired - adopt cycling for many of their journeys.  For example, in 2006, over 200,000 people drove less than 4 kilometres to their places of employment - this distance could easily be covered in less than 20 minutes on a bike.  The health benefits of cycling for 20 minutes in terms of cardiovascular exercise, compared to the same time spent sitting in a car, are almost too obvious to state.  And in terms of achieving a low carbon society with improved quality of life - the bicycle is hard to beat."
 
The joint cycling seminar, attended by a wide range of people from cycling groups, the State and semi-State sector, heard Dutch experts outline benefits, ways and means of promoting cycling and local authority experience in the areas of planning and urban design for cycling.  Irish contributions focussed on actions to date on delivering the National Cycling Policy Framework (launched in April 2009), planning for a national cycle network and delivering for cycling at a local level.
 
A selection of measures taken to date that support the National Cycle Policy Framework are included in the appendix. 
 
Further information:
Department of Transport Press Office: (01) 604 1090 / (01) 604 1091

Appendix

Some key actions taken in support of National Cycle Policy Framework

• Ireland's first Bike Week delivered by partners from cycling interest groups, Government Departments and agencies, local government, the cycling industry etc in June 2009.  BikeWeek 2010 set for 13-20 June 2010
• Completion of cycling demonstration projects such as Newport-Mulranny route, Co Mayo, PassageWest-Rochestown route, Co Cork, Castletroy network, Co Limerick, bicycle parking in Galway city, Waterford city and in workplaces engaged in NTA's workplace travel planning scheme, Carrigaline-Crosshaven route, Co Cork
• Refurbishment of 22 km of cycle lanes in Dublin city
• Smarter Travel Demonstration Projects Fund and Smarter Travel Areas Competition put in place - these initiatives can not only be used to support sustainable travel in general but cycling as a key contributor
• Progress made on initial mapping by the National Roads Authority of a preferred National Cycle Network
• Continued financial support for premium cycle routes - Dublin City from Portobello to Fairview; Galway City - Fisheries Field cycle route; South Dublin - linkage of Adamstown to Grand Canal route to Inchicore
• Expansion of An Taisce's Greenschools Travel Programme with support for cycle training and parking
• Dublin Bikes scheme launched by Dublin City Council in September 2009 and operation of the Bus Gate at College Green
• Production of a suite of 4 cycle safety leaflets - for motorists, HGV drivers, bus drivers and cyclists themselves - in addition, an instruction video on cyclist interaction with HGVs will be launched soon by the Road Safety Authority
• Issue of draft Cycle Design Manual for consultation
• Law updated in relation to types of lights that are permissible on bicycles and detailed consideration of removal of requirement on cyclists to use cycle lanes where provided
• Work commenced on designing a programme and delivery arrangements for a National Certificate for Cycling for School Children

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