Nearly 50 Dublin companies demand network of cycling routes

— Business group says cycling should be segregated from buses and cars. 

45 companies and institutions in Dublin have signed their names to a campaign demanding more funding for cycle routes in the capital.

A large jump in support for the CyclingWorks Dublin campaign was announced this morning in partnership with the Dublin Chamber business group.

The Chamber said that progress on building the Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network is too slow, and that its vision is for segregated cycling, not mixing with buses and other motorised vehicles.

The groups backing CyclingWorks now include tech companies, legal firms, property companies, hotels, transport companies, media businesses, recruitment firms, and third-level institutions.

Graeme McQueen, head of public affairs at the Dublin Chamber, said: “Companies are seeing a sharp increase in the amount of staff commuting to work by bike. They are becoming increasingly aware of the need for better, safer cycling facilities in the city.

“Improved cycling infrastructure is key to growing cyclist numbers in Dublin. It’s hugely encouraging to see a sharp rise in the number of people cycling in Dublin over recent years. Since 2008, the number of people commuting into the city has doubled to more than 12,000 every day,” said McQueen.

He said: “However, for the most part, this progress does not come as a result of good cycling infrastructure, but rather in spite of it. This needs to change. Workers in Dublin are increasingly looking at cycling as a way of getting around the city. Feedback tells us that thousands more would like to cycle, but are too afraid to get on their bikes.”

Stephen McManus, co-founder of CyclingWorks, said: “The campaign team is excited to partner with Dublin Chamber of Commerce and we welcome member companies who are joining the call for immediate investment in cycling facilities. People who commute to work by bike are happier, healthier, more likely to arrive on time and less likely to take sick days.”

He added: “The bottom line is clear: cycling is good for business, good for the city and all its citizens.”

39 Dublin Chamber members have now signed up to CyclingWorks, including: CPL, Olytico, Evolve, Griffith College, DIT, The Entrepreneur Academy, Arthur Cox, Mason Hayes & Curran, JLL, Ronan Daly Jermyn, The Panel Search & Selection, Talbot Pierce, Sam’s Bar, The Dawson Hotel, Venue 35, Voxpro, Distilled SCH, Contracting Plus, Sodexo Ireland, Linesight, Clearsight Communications, Engage People, 101 Translations, Alstom Transport Ireland, Hanna Moore + Curley, The Alternative Board, Hartley & Marks Publishers, Wandsoft, ShinAwiL, Horizon Blue Talent Consulting, Ervia, Mason Alexander, BDM Property, CBRE, CFO Services, MyNewApp.com, William Fry, K3 and Goodbody.

This is in addition to six non-Dublin Chamber members: Digit, Dalata Hotel Group, Tapadoo, Trinity College Dublin, Cycling Without Age and Cycling Ireland.

The Dublin Chamber said that it will send a letter to the transport minister Shane Ross highlighting the need for the Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan to be implemented.

McQueen said: “The plan is there to develop a network of safe cycling routes throughout Dublin – but, almost 5 years after it was launched, it is still sitting on a shelf gathering dust. Why are we sitting on our hands? Increasing the amount of cycling is an open goal for Dublin – a city which is clogged with traffic on a daily basis. Making Dublin safer for cycling will make the city more family-friendly and greatly improve the quality of life for Dubliners.”

56% of businesses report increase of employees cycling  

The Chamber said that a survey of its members found that more than half (56%) of the 392 respondents to the survey said that they had seen an increase in the number of staff cycling to/from work over the past 12 months.

The same survey found that more than two-thirds (70%) of firms believe that better cycling infrastructure in the city would be beneficial to their staff and to their business in general.

According to the Chamber, around 1 in 10 (11%) of the owner/managers surveyed said they themselves currently cycle to work on a ‘frequent’ basis, while 17% said they cycled to work ‘only occasionally’. Of the 71% who said they did not cycle to work, 25% cited the fact that it was ‘unsafe’ as their reason for not doing so. A further 8% pointed to the lack of segregated cycle lanes.

MORE: dublin.cyclingworks.org


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5 comments

  1. I wonder how we can square this with Dublin Town et al’s assertion that anything which impacts the driving and parking of private cars in the city centre will result in a desolate, deserted wasteland.

    Reply
  2. Trinity College Dublin is a member! Unbelievable, the biggest roadblock for cyclists in the whole city, basically a giant roundabout! Why not put some cycle routes crossing your campus first!

    Reply
  3. The Dublin Town group seems to be dominated by car park owners. It’s good to see different views coming forward. Well done to those behind the campaign.

    Reply
  4. The folks behind the campaign are to be heartily congratulated for their foresight and drive to make a difference in Dublin in the face of laggardly progress on so many fronts.

    Reply

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