With the general election just around the corner, cyclists have set out their political demands!

Our vision is for everyday cycling to be normal part of life for all ages and abilities (the ‘8 to 80’ cohort as it is sometimes put) – very similar to the ways it is in many northern European countries. Remember also that #COP21 is a game changer – we need radical reductions in CO2 emissions from the Irish transport sector!

We want all political parties to commit to these two overarching aims:

• Allocate at least 10% of transport funding to cycling
• Implement the NCPF in full (initiated in 2009 it has only four years to run – time is ticking on actions/objectives not realised so far)

Additionally and more specifically, we must:

• Achieve at least 10% of all journeys by bike by 2020 [It is currently only at 1.6% at a national level]
• Appoint a National Cycling Officer in the Dept of Transport [This is a crucial step in being able to implement the NCPF effectively.]
• Make 30km/h the default urban speed limit
• Introduce a legally enforced 1.5-metre gap for overtaking cyclists; more information
• Provide for contra-flow cycling on one-way streets
• Retrofit the top 50 most dangerous junctions in Ireland
• Fund high quality cycle infrastructure
• Upskill An Garda Síochána to understand cycling so as to address (1) dangerous overtaking (2) illegal parking in cycle tracks; see #free-the-cycle-lanes
• Provide mandatory cycle training in all primary and secondary schools
• Introduce compulsory certificate of professional competence (CPC) for all taxi/hackney drivers by end 2017

Over the coming weeks, election candidates will be knocking on your door. Please relay the above points to them, explain why everyday cycling makes so much sense, and do feel free to share, tweet and post our graphic to get its message out there.

Cyclist.ie and its constituent local campaigns, and festivals will be working hard to ensure that all political parties understand the issues and see the value of putting the bicycle at the heart of transport and public health policies. If you support our work representing cyclists, please considering joining Dublin Cycling Campaign or, if you are outside the capital and not resident near a local campaign group, Cyclist.ie – the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network. This support makes a real difference is enabling voluntary organisations with their work. Thank you!