A group of Dutch cycling experts and companies which offer services ranging from cycle route design to bicycle parking solutions have just finished up a four-day trade mission to Ireland.
The Dutch Cycling Trade Mission met with stakeholders across the transport sector, including the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Irish Rail, Dublin Chamber, Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council, and Cork City Council.
Dutch Ambassador to Ireland, Maaike van Koldam, said: “The goals of this Cycling Trade Mission are to develop relations with new and existing partners and to intensify the fast-growing economic partnership between the Netherlands and Ireland.”
“In recent years, local politicians from Dublin, Cork and across Ireland have come to the Netherlands to learn how cycling has become an integral part of creating a sustainable transportation system,” she said.
Ambassador van Koldam added: “As Ireland ramps up its spending on cycling projects and works to create the network of 3,500km of cycling routes, we see huge potential in Dutch businesses using their expertise to cater to Irish needs, thus bringing our countries even closer as we travel along the road to a more sustainable future.”
The trade mission included 16 Dutch businesses which are described as operating in various areas of the cycling sector, including bicycle suppliers, providers of bike parking solutions, companies which provide technological solutions, and providers of infrastructure design and planning services.
During the four-day trip, the Dutch Ambassador to Ireland, Maaike van Koldam, said that members of the Mission met with key organisations, including the Department of Transport, the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Irish Rail and Dublin Chamber.
The trade mission was arranged by the Embassy of the Netherlands to Ireland, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Dutch Cycling Embassy.
Commenting on the situation in Cork, Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands to Ireland, Nora Dessing, said: “Right now, road transport accounts for 29% of emissions in Cork city. We know that there are major plans to expand cycling infrastructure in Cork, and the NTA’s strategy targets an increase in the number of annual cycling trips to 19.5 million, as well as the development of large primary, secondary, inter-urban and greenway cycle networks.”
The Deputy Ambassador added: “As cycling becomes ever more vital in transforming Cork’s transportation system, there will be an enhanced need for companies which can provide the equipment and develop and operate the necessary infrastructure. Smart Mobility will also be vital, and Dutch businesses with cutting-edge skills and solutions could be crucial in making this change a success for everyone.”
Margot Daris, a project manager with the Dutch Cycling Embassy, said: “When you look at the NTA’s Walking and Cycling Index 2023, you can see that though just 15% of people across Ireland’s largest cities cycle at least once a week, more than double that percentage – a third of those surveyed – would like to cycle more.”
“As the cycling infrastructure expands in Ireland, cycling is going to be crucial to more and more Irish people. The need is there, the interest is there, and Dutch cycling businesses are perfectly placed to play an essential role in making these aspirations a reality,” Daris said.
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Speaking as someone who lived in the Netherlands for a couple of years fairly recently, I’m finding those quotes very, very kind indeed!
I’m glad we didn’t ask them to chime in on our rail infrastructure while they were at it.