CycleCoffeeCake, a new social cycle project of the Galway Cycling Campaign, will hold its next event on Sunday August 16 in the city centre as part of Galway Pride.
The cycle project aims to encourage people, especially women, who started to cycle or rediscovered the joys of cycling during Covid-19 lockdown to continue to use their bikes for everyday trips around Galway city.
The route last Saturday morning took in quiet routes away from main roads by Grattan Road, the Westend, canals, and city centre before ending at Bar Italia Ciarlantini in Woodquay.
The group included four councillors, a woman who had never cycled in the city centre, and a person using a recumbent trike.
Organiser Martina Callanan said one woman had a beautiful purple step through bike that she loves bringing on cycling holidays to greenways, yet she had never felt confident enough to cycle in the city before.
“That was sad to hear - her love of feeling free and independent is overwhelmed by the reasonable fear of cycling on roads shared with buses, vans and trucks. We were delighted to show her calm streets and quiet routes that you wouldn't be familiar with from driving.
“Galway already is a cycling city - we're second only to Dublin in terms of the rate of people who bike to work and school - so showing people routes that have lower traffic volumes will give them knowledge to cycle more safely to the shops and local cafés."
Ms Callanan said the route was adjusted to accommodate a rider who used an atypical bike.
“We couldn't cycle the cycle path by the coastline behind The Swamp, as the kissing gate at the end of the pier would be unnecessarily difficult for the person using a recumbent bicycle. This reclining bike is more comfortable for him to use than a standard upright two-wheel bike.
“He wasn't able to access the laneway between Woodquay and the Plots at the Dyke Road because there was a car parked in front of the entrance on the Woodquay side. A yellow box instead of a car park space would be a simple change and give easier access to people using various mobility devices."
Route and registration details will be available closer to the dates on www.galwaycycling.org
