Today, as part of European Car Free Day, Oranmore is holding its first car free day.
An Taisce Green Schools, in association with Galway County Council, Galway Sports Partnership, and An Garda Siochana, are asking all Oranmore residents to walk, cycle, car pool, or use public transport to get to school or work.
Calasanctius College, Gaelscoil De Hide, and Oranmore Boys and Girls’ schools are supporting this initiative in a bid to create a less congested, healthier, and greener Oranmore.
Walking and cycling have a very positive impact on health, wellbeing, developing road safety skills, and the environment, says Tiarnan McCusker, An Taisce’s travel education officer. “It is also much easier to walk and talk than it is to drive and talk, so families also benefit from developing their communication skills.
“Often when pupils and parents get involved in the Green-Schools Travel theme they have great fun together. Walking to school becomes a real social occasion, where friendships are moulded. Teachers have also commented that pupils who walk or cycle to school are more alert in the classroom, so the benefits cannot be understated.”
