Third level education institutes in Cork have joined CyclingWorks Cork, a group calling for a network of cycle paths to built in the city.
The signees include University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology, Griffith College Cork, Cork College of Commerce, St John’s Central College, Tyndall National Institute and Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa. The heads of institutes have written a joint letter to transport Minister Shane Ross.
CyclingWorks Cork says the institutions represent around 48,000 staff and students, which it says is only slightly less than the population of Waterford City.
Joint letters have been signed by the heads of @csncollege, @CorkCollege, @CIT_ie, @griffithcollege, @stjohnscentral1, @TyndallInstitut, and @UCC calling on @Shane_RossTD and @TFIupdates to invest in the Cork Cycle Network Plan.
Cork’s 3rd level sector sending a strong message! pic.twitter.com/9r2COeUoSq
— CyclingWorksCRK (@CyclingWorksCRK) March 21, 2019
CyclingWorks Cork had already gained the support of a number of companies in the city including Voxpro, Analog Devices, Solo Energy and the PM Group.
President of UCC, Professor Pat O’Shea said “Our students and our staff need safer and more coherent cycle routes through this beautiful city and region. A core mission of our university is sustainability and as a daily cyclist I can testify to the benefits you enjoy and the challenges a cyclist faces.”
CIT President Dr Barry O’Connor noted “CIT has long been committed to eco-friendly access to and from our campuses, both city based and the Bishopstowncampuses. A safer and wider network of cycle lanes is imperative at this point, together with an extension of the City Bikes range to include the CIT Bishopstown Campus, CUH. CIT staff and students strongly support the CyclingWorksCork proposals along with a significantly enhanced public transport provision.”
CyclingWords Cork said in a statement: “The Cork Cycle Network Plan published in 2017identified safe and coherent cycling routes, with a high proportion of segregated cycle lanes. A recent study of Cork City showed that significant population growth is expected, but the car remains the dominant mode of transport.”
“The institutions’ call for high-quality cycling infrastructure was motivated by several considerations. These included the health and well-being benefits of cycling for their staff and students, and the importance of theirsafety in getting to college. Low cost and sustainable transport options were important to the competitiveness of Cork City for attracting top staff and students. They also noted their responsibility as colleges and research institutions to educate and take the lead in environmental sustainability,” it said.
CyclingWorks Cork added: “Alongside the cycle network plan, the institutions drew particular attention to the Lee to Sea Greenway, a key route that would serve many of the institutions. The Lee to Sea Greenway was initially proposed in campus discussions in 2018.”
Image: Keith Byrne
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