Residents of Dublin overwhelmingly support more kerb-protected cycling lanes in the capital even if that means less road space for vehicles, a major new survey has found.
It also established that cycling in Dublin creates almost €260 million in benefits for the individual and society annually.
The ‘Bike Life’ report published in partnership with Sustrans and the National Transport Authority also concluded current levels of cycling take some 60,000 vehicles off Dublin’s streets every day.
Furthermore, the researchers found that improved cycling infrastructure in the Dublin Metropolitan Area would enable up to 350,000 people to travel from their homes to O’Connell Bridge in less than 25 minutes.
The survey is the biggest of its kind even conducted into
urban cycling trends and attitudes in Ireland.
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Some 84 per cent of surveyed Dublin residents supported building more kerb-separated on-road cycle lanes, even if this means less room for motor vehicles.
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Almost 25 per cent of adults said they cycled at least once each week in the Dublin region and 11 per cent of all adults said they cycled five days a week or more.
The survey strongly suggests that a very significant
shift towards cycling, and a change for the positive in attitudes towards
cycling, has already occurred in Dublin.
Some of the other key findings include:
- Seven in ten adults would find more traffic-free cycle routes away from roads, such as through parks or along waterways, useful to help them cycle more
- Every year cycling in Dublin saves 28,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to carbon footprint of 400,000 people taking flights from Dublin to London Heathrow
- Cycling creates €258.5 million in economic benefits for the individual and society annually
- 78 per cent of Dublin Metropolitan Area residents believe more cycling would make their area a better place to live and work
- The physical activity benefits of cycling, preventing 52 early deaths annually, is valued at €263million
- 21 per cent of residents said they don’t currently cycle but would like to
- 33 per cent highlighted safety as the primary concern for why they do not cycle or cycle less often
National Transport Authority chief executive Anne Graham said: “From a sustainability and health point of view, you can’t beat cycling.
“We welcome the findings in the Bike Life report, and we
look forward to the opportunity it provides us to grow and improve our cycling
facilities, both in the Dublin Metropolitan Area and in the whole of Ireland.”
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