Cyclists back RGDATA’s call for parking levy on out-of-town shopping centres’ car parks

Cyclist.ie, the network for all the cycling campaigns in Ireland, has endorsed this week’s call by RGDATA, the umbrella group for local shops, for a levy to be imposed on car-parking at out-of-town shopping centres.

According to the cyclists a vibrant, locally-based retail sector is important if walking and cycling for transport are to grow and prosper. Cyclist.ie chair Dr. Michael McKillen said “we cannot expect people to walk or cycle to local shops that have been put out of business by unfair and uncompetitive parking policies. Out of town shopping developments by their very nature tend to be at locations that are too far or too difficult to reach by bike or on foot”. Cycle Campaigners and RGDATA have previously supported each other in calls for the retention or reinstatement of the Groceries Order banning below cost selling by large multiples. Continue reading Cyclists back RGDATA’s call for parking levy on out-of-town shopping centres’ car parks →

International Posts

The True Costs of Automobility

24 Jan '13 John Dawson Leave a comment

Thought that motor tax & insurance / VAT / Duty etc. cover the cost of motoring? Think again – see The True Costs of Automobility

Brief conclusion: The results of this study advocate that the European Union should embark as soon as possible on a process that estimates external costs regularly and develops a smooth integration path of these costs into transport prices: Slowly and steadily, designed well in advance of implementation, with accompanying measures to support adaptation. Let it be remembered that there is no intention of creating additional revenue from transport users: the intention is to give price signals so that everybody adapts and hopefully nobody has to pay these prices. Then, all costs would be reduced, efficiency would be increased.

Full conclusion:

(1) Based on the assumptions described in this study, the cars used within the EU-27 externalize about 373 billion euro per year (high estimate) on to other people, other regions and other generations (low estimate: 258 billion). This is a considerable sum, and it leads to a level of car use that is inefficient from the perspective of society. Because “others” pay for large parts of the costs of transport, Europeans travel by car too much to enable an efficient situation. This in part also explains why there is a high level of congestion in parts of the EU. Continue reading The True Costs of Automobility →

International Posts

Call to action from the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF)

23 Jan '13 John Dawson Leave a comment

Letter to Minister Varadkar from the ECF (today); see also Common Memorandum of cyclists’ user organisations

Re: Common Memorandum of cyclists’ user organisations on Irish, Lithuanian and Greek Trio Presidencies 2013 – 2014

Dear Minister, Dr. Varadkar,

This is a call to action from the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) and its full member in Ireland, Cyclist.ie. We’re requesting you to give cycling the attention it deserves during the forthcoming Trio Presidencies 2013 – 2014.

Urban cycling is seeing a revival in many towns and cities across Europe. As cyclist representative organisations, we are wholeheartedly rejoicing and supporting this evolution; more cycling means healthier people, less urban congestion, and urban environments that are attractive to citizens and investors alike.

The good news is that in times of tight public budgets, cycling offers the highest return of investment among all transport the different modes of transport. Continue reading Call to action from the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) →

Irish Posts

Rise in Number of Children Walking / Cycling to School?

9 Jan '13 John Dawson 2 Comments

A recent report commissioned by the Irish Sports Council found that the number of children engaged in active travel to school ie walking or cycling has risen considerably since 2004. Apparently good news but a closer examination shows that the news is not as good as first seemed.

While there has been a significant increase in cycling and walking it will come as no surprise to cycling advocates to learn that all of the increase is in walking. Among secondary school pupils the number of cyclists has remained at the same level while among primary students the level of cycling has actually fallen. Continue reading Rise in Number of Children Walking / Cycling to School? →

International Posts