Residents groups across County Galway are backing a national campaign to encourage local councillors to endorse a “Vision for Cycling in Rural Ireland.”
Galway Cycling Campaign, The Wheels of Athenry, Gort Cycle Trails, and Oranmore Cycle-Bus are asking councillors from Conamara to Ballinasloe to prioritise active travel facilities, to create a culture where people on bikes are expected and respected, and to create a network of connected cycle routes across County Galway.
A special information leaflet has been sent to every councillor in County Galway - and every rural councillor in Ireland - outlining the Eight Asks of the Vision for Cycling in Rural Ireland.
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All Chief Executives and Directors of Services responsible for road infrastructure and active travel were previously contacted.
'Change is necessary'
Martina Callanan of Galway Cycling Campaign said that change is happening. “Change is necessary. There is a bottomless pit of funding available from the government. Most political parties have strong walking and cycling policies. County councillors should lead public discussions to bring along people as we make inevitable changes to improve road safety. The County can learn from the recent fiasco in Salthill: engage early and often. Focus on making it work.
Marcus Quinlan of Oranmore Cycle-Bus said that Galway County Council must prioritise safe cycle routes to schools and car-free zones at school gates.
“A few bollards in Oranmore have transformed the experience of walking, scooting and cycling to school. Every child from Loughrea to Leenaun should have the same opportunity to be safe,” he said.
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'Athenry can’t be left behind'
Máire Daly of The Wheels of Athenry said tt was once normal to cycle to work, to school, and the dance halls.
“Athenry can’t be left behind towns like Sallins, a similar sized commuter town with a train line. The Naas to Sallins Greenway was awarded €300,000 last month. And we are still campaigning to have a spur to the Athlone to Galway Cycleway. We don’t even have one bike parking rack in the town centre. We deserve better,” she said.
Katleen Bell-Bonjean of Gort Cycle Trails welcomed the recent announcement that the Athlone to Galway Greenway will be routed through south and east Galway.
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“The design must be of highest international standards so that the route is safe and comfortable for people on bikes of all ages and abilities. It must be useful for locals, as well as an attractive tourist experience.”
“Vision for Cycling in Rural Ireland” is coordinated by Cyclist.ie, the national cycling advocacy network, and was launched in September 2020 by Minister for State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD.
