Cyclist.ie seeks a volunteer with fund-raising skills to help it secure corporate social responsibility (CSR)- or philanthropic-type funding for its work. Cyclist.ie’s fundraising volunteer will advise on, and help to advance, a plan to approach the chosen companies and funders. More info.
All posts by John Dawson
Launch of National Physical Activity Plan
Cyclist.ie at launch of National Physical Activity Plan
Healthy Ireland launched the long awaited “Get Ireland Active – National Physical Activity Plan” in Dublin today (14th Jan 2016). Ministers Leo Varadkar (Health), Paschal Donohoe (Transport, Tourism and Sport) and Michael Ring (Sport) each spoke at the event. Dr. Damien Ó Tuama, National Cycling Coordinator with Cyclist.ie, attended on behalf of the cycling campaigning community. Cycling Ireland were also present representing the sporting arm of cycling.
The common theme of each of the Ministers’ speeches was that in order to avoid further pressure being applied to an already overstretched health service, it is essential to change national habits so as to have physical activity as a normal part of our everyday lives. Hear hear! And how does one change these habits? It will require multiple agencies, sporting groups, the voluntary sector etc. in order to bring about a paradigm shift at every level of society.
In Cyclist.ie, we strongly believe that the built environment itself must not be an ‘obesogenic one’ – it must make it easy and safe for people of all ages and abilities to walk and cycle. We are delighted to see this point elaborated more fully in Section Four (Environment) of the plan. The proof, of course, will be determined by the extent to which this plan shapes the capital spending programmes of other departments. It is simply not acceptable that cycling receives a minimal mention in the government’s spending plans announced recently; PDF available here
The National Physical Activity Plan is downloadable here and Cyclist.ie will be examining it in more detail over the coming days and weeks. Watch this space.
Cycle Commuting Stories
The Herald is running commuting stories this week using different modes of travel; these are the cycling stories
Quantifying the contribution of utility cycling to population levels of physical activity
Population levels of physical activity are far below recommendations limiting its public health benefits. Utility cycling (i.e. cycling for transport purposes) may be a means of increasing this activity. Empirical evidence quantifying the contribution of utility cycling to the population levels of physical activity is sparse. Read article
Published by the Health Economics Research Group (HERG)
Belfast Bike Life Report
‘Bike Life’ has been prepared by Sustrans in partnership with the Department for Regional Development. It presents information on cycling infrastructure in Belfast, and cycling behaviour and attitudes to cycling expressed by Belfast residents. It is the first time that such comprehensive information has been provided for Belfast. Full Report
Trains, planes and automobiles – how we got around in 2014
The number of people choosing to get around the capital on the public bikes system increased significantly, as passenger journeys jumped to over 3m in 2014.
Passenger journeys peaked at 355,155 in October of last year, almost 200,000 more than the number of users from the same month in the year prior. Public transport services all around the country – bus, rail and Luas – saw an increase in passenger numbers throughout the year.
Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future
This White Paper sets out our energy future. It confirms our core objectives of sustainability, security of supply and competitiveness. It strikes a balance between these three pillars, whilst ensuring a low carbon future. It seeks to empower and engage communities across Ireland. Facilitating our people to engage and debate Ireland’s energy challenges is essential for the future development of the industry. Full paper
Fixed Charge Notices issued Jul – Sep 2015
Number of Fixed Charge Notices issued for the offences listed for the period 30 July 2015 to 30 September 2015
Parking in a cycle track during its period of operation (Contravention of requirement to remove vehicle parked on cycle track (RRM022 or 023) after commencement of period indicated on information plate contrary to Section 35(5) of the Road Traffic Act, 1994) 112
Invading an Advance Stop Line by failing to bring vehicle to a stop behind a primary stop-line (Failure to stop in advance of traffic sign number RRM 017 (Stop Line), contrary to Section 35(5) of the Road Traffic Act, 1994) 16
Failure to stop in advance of Traffic Sign (Failure to stop in advance of traffic sign for number RRM 017 (stop line) where traffic sign number RUS 027(stop sign) was also provided contrary to Section 35(5) of the Road Traffic Act, 1994) 60
Dangerous Overtaking (Overtaking another vehicle in a manner which wold endanger or cause inconvenience to any other person contrary to Section 35(5) of the Road Traffic Act, 1994).
Please note that it is not possible to provided a breakdown between overtaking pedal cyclists and mechanically propelled vehicles, therefore the figure provided relates to all manners of dangerous overtaking.
Gardai find 70 stolen bikes in one house being readied for export
As bike thefts soar, Gardai have discovered a large quantity of stolen mounts at the back of a house being readied for movement in one batch.
Gardai have found an estimated 70 stolen bikes at the back of a house in Limerick in what they believe was a conspiracy to export shipments of bikes abroad. Read more
Local angle in Limerick Leader
